LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 4, 2019) – The Wyoming Cowboys are in their second week of practice and the competition level during the workouts have been on display. The group that features eight returners and six newcomers is bonding both on and off the floor.
 
"I think our culture is the best it has been in my time here in Laramie," UW head coach Allen Edwards said. "When you have a leader on the floor like Hunter Maldonado along with the core group of veterans we have, that group has really set the tone during practice."
 
Redshirt sophomores Hunter Maldonado and Austin Mueller are full go in practice after missing most of last season with injuries. Maldonado was second on the team in scoring (13.8) and rebounds (6.8) before his injury. Mueller started all eight games he played in and averaged 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. If those number held up, the duo would have combined for 27 percent of the teams scoring and 34 percent of the rebounds
 
The eight retuning players for the Pokes bring plenty of experience, as six of the eight returners played 20 or more minutes per game and no other returning averaged less than four minutes per night. That group also combined for 163 triples for the season, which was two-thirds of the Pokes' three pointers last season.
 
"This group understands that we dealt with a lot, but in those moments it really builds who you are as a team and individual," Edwards said. "We have a great competitive edge out on the court and we are ready to compete in games."
 
The group of newcomers are following the lead of the veterans and will add depth that hindered the Pokes last season. Junior college players Greg Milton III and Tyler Morman. Milton III, a native of Elk Grove, Calif. is coming off a fine freshman season at Sacramento City College earning First Team All-Big 8 Conference honors. Milton III was also named All-Nor Cal Freshman Team. He was the second leading scorer in the conference at 19 points per game. Morman was a second-team All-Conference selection this past season at Southwestern Florida. He appeared in 33 games averaging 4.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 12.6 minutes per night.
 
Other newcomers include Kenny Foster, Kwane Marble II and Javier Turner. Foster was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the State of Colorado. He averaged 27.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game at Smoky Hill High School, leading the Buffaloes to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. Marble II was a Second Team All-State selection at Denver East High School averaging 19 points per game. Turner played in 13 games due to transfer rules at Omaha Northwest High School, as he added 10.4 points per game to go along with 6.5 rebounds.
 
"This group is so close with both on and off the floor," Edwards said. "What is so unique is that this group enjoys being around each other off the floor, but they also understand when they head to practice they are here to compete."
 
The Cowboys will practice in Rawlins inside Rawlins High School this coming Sunday (Oct. 6). The practice, which is opened to the public will start at 3 p.m. Fans are invited to join the Pokes for autographs and photos following practice.

Season-tickets are available for Cowboy basketball. Contact the UW Ticket Office at GoWyo.com/tickets, by calling 307-766-7220 or in person at the University of Wyoming Athletics Ticket Office on the west side of the Arena-Auditorium. Single game tickets go on sale on Oct. 9. The popular Seat Hopper package, which is the best seat available on gameday is only $135.