HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Where is Jared Harris?
 
It's a question Wyoming fans were understandably curious about when the talented former top 100 national recruit was parked on the end of the bench for the first three games of the season.
 
Harris, as it turns out, could be found in the Arena-Auditorium every morning proving himself to head coach Sundance Wicks.
 
The smooth 6-foot-2 guard from Silsbee, Texas, put in the extra work required to earn his way into the lineup.
 
"Our responsibility as coaches if it's not going right (for a player) is to not let that kid sit in his apartment, call his friends and family to tell him all the sweet things he wants to hear," Wicks said. "It's to get his butt up at 6 a.m., 7 a.m. (with) Coach (Nic) Reynolds and get him in the gym and get him working so he feels like he earns success.
 
"The true definition of happiness is earned success, not something somebody handed to you."
 
There was pure joy in the locker room after Harris scored a career-high 16 points during the Cowboys' impressive 93-56 victory over Portland last Saturday. The Memphis transfer provided the team a dynamic spark off the bench as UW outscored the Governors 52-25 in the second half.
 
"I really just sent a message out to lot of people that doubted me. They didn't think I could do it," Harris said. "I'm really leaning on my teammates to bring the energy, be on my side and help me."
 
Harris returns to his home state with the Cowboys (4-0) to play Sam Houston State on Wednesday here at Johnson Coliseum (5:30 p.m., ESPN+).
 
Sophomore guard Damarion Dennis is from San Antonio and junior guard Khaden Bennett, whose dad played quarterback at Sam Houston State and whose mom is from Huntsville, grew up in Mansfield, Texas.
 
"I know a lot of my family will be there and getting to see my family, I haven't seen them in a long time," Harris said. "But I also have a job to do, and I hope we come out 5-0."
 
The Bearkats (1-2) are coming off back-to-back road losses to Big 12 opponents – 98-77 at No. 10 Texas Tech and 85-79 at Utah. True freshman Jacobe Coleman scored 17 points and hit a 3-pointer that cut the deficit to 79-75 before the Utes made some free throws to escape with the win in Salt Lake City.
 
This is UW's first road test of the season.
 
"Portland is better than what they showed, I know that. This is their first road game of the season, just like ours will be at Sam Houston State," Wicks said. "I'm curious to see what our guys will be like when we go in the road because it's a whole different set of rules when you go on the road."
 
The Pokes are averaging 90.8 points and allowing 69.5 points per game through four games played at 7,220 feet. The "Relentless Pressure for 40 Minutes" mantra will be tested against a deep Sam Houston State rotation averaging 83.7 points and allowing 80.7 points through three games.
 
Senior point guard Leland Walker will try to set the tone again after finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Portland.
 
"I would say just being more confident for sure," Walker said of his performance after he did not score against Austin Peay. "The first couple games was a bad stretch for me, but I just came out confident and ready to go. Our defense changed and we picked up the energy in the second half. We just kept putting our foot on their necks and we've got a deep lineup so we can keep putting fresh bodies in."
 
Twelve different UW players scored against Portland. The Pokes have the first two Mountain West freshmen of the week award winners in Nasir (Naz) Meyer and Gavin Gores.
 
Dennis (13.0 ppg) and Bennett (11.3 ppg) have been solid additions for Wicks and his staff.
 
"I love Texas kids," Wicks said. "Texas kids are tough."
 
Harris, who had only scored two points before his breakout game against Portland, has unique talent.
 
"Jared Harris was massive for us (against Portland). He earned those minutes, he earned that success, and everybody was freaking happy for him," Wicks said. "That makes us better when Jared Harris is playing basketball the way he is."
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
 
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