LUBBOCK, Texas – Sundance Wicks spoke passionately in the postgame locker room here at United Supermarkets Arena about his love for Wyoming and Cowboy basketball.
 
Passion and love.
 
That's what UW's head coach wants to see from his team going forward after both were lacking during Wednesday night's 96-49 drubbing by Texas Tech.
 
Wicks wasn't upset about the lopsided loss as much as the Pokes not showing the appropriate emotions during or after the humbling defeat.
 
"I'm a passionate guy," Wicks said during his session with the media. "I told our guys in the locker room, I said, 'You know, if there's one thing you can learn from me is, you better show up every day with passion to do your job.'
 
"And I thought we were very passionless tonight."
 
Former UW head coach Jeff Linder, now the top assistant at Texas Tech, helped the home team exploit some weaknesses Wicks and his staff can address in film study and practice.
 
For starters, the Cowboys must handle full-court pressure defense much better if they're serious about competing with Boise State, New Mexico, San Diego State and other Mountain West favorites.
 
The Red Raiders (3-0) cashed 25 UW turnovers in for 40 points. Wicks furiously scribbled the ugly stat on the white board for the players to stare at after the game.
 
"As I told the guys, 25 turnovers isn't coaching unless I call a terrible after timeout play and make you throw a bad pass," Wicks said. "You have to do a better job handling pressure."
 
Obi Agbim scored 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting and dished out two assists two highlight UW's offense. However, the starting point guard contributed six turnovers to the team total before adjusting to the level of competition.
 
The Pokes' five primary post players combined for 17 points on 7-for-18 shooting and 18 rebounds. New Mexico transfer JT Toppin finished with 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting and 12 rebounds.
 
"Our front court, they've got to be able to go get the ball with two hands. They have to go get it and bring it in," Wicks said. "I'm going to count how many times we had our hands on basketball and didn't come away with it. There's a little bit of want-to there.
 
"That's the passion I'm talking about. That's the stuff where I'm like, It's between you and him – you better go get it. You must want that more."
 
Wicks challenged the Cowboys to treat the upcoming game against Utah Tech on Saturday at the Arena-Auditorium as their Super Bowl.
 
If this team doesn't fight back after the frustrating night in Lubbock by playing with heart changes will be forthcoming to the rotation.
 
"If I don't see a passionate response on Saturday, then I'll probably have to shorten this bench a little bit, play the guys who are willing to give us everything they got," Wicks said. "That's the message that sends. This team is not a team that is supposed to lose by 50, in my opinion. We're too talented."
 
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