LARAMIE – It would take a lot more than a disappointing three-game losing streak to get Sundance Wicks down.
 
That was made clear the moment Wyoming's buoyant head coach arrived to meet with the local media on Monday ahead of the Cowboys' home game against Boise State on Tuesday at the Arena-Auditorium (6:30 p.m., Mountain West Network).
 
"You're probably thinking 'Debbie Downer Sundance' is going to come into the press conference today but this is the fun part of coaching in my opinion," Wicks said. "This team is getting tested right now, we have a three-game (losing) stint, a little adversity is hitting us."
 
UW has struggled to maintain defensive consistency since losing forward Matija Belic to injury during the 68-56 win at Air Force on Dec. 30. Jared Harris, a talented 6-foot-2 matchup problem, has also been out during this stretch with a lower-leg injury.
 
Wicks announced Monday that guard Nasir (Naz) Meyer, who is averaging 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a freshman, is in concussion protocol and will not play against the Broncos (10-8, 2-5).
 
"What an opportunity here on Martin Luther King Day to talk about the true test of a man is overcoming those challenges and those obstacles and those adversities they have in front of them," Wicks said. "Not when it's convenient and comfort. We can all feel good when it's convenient and comfort. Right now, we've got a great opportunity to grow as a program, grow as young men and to me it's all part of the process."
 
Wicks was upset with the fight of his team in the immediate aftermath of last Wednesday's 74-57 loss to first-place San Diego State. The Pokes started the next practice without the coaches and had the right attitude and process for the road trip to Fresno State.

"That was a sign of life for me that I wanted to see. Take some ownership," Wicks said. "Success isn't guaranteed just because you want something and you go out and do a little bit more. That doesn't mean it's more guaranteed for you than the next team. You still have to go out and take it from somebody."
 
The Cowboys (11-7, 2-5) had plenty of chances to seize the win over Fresno State but couldn't get a timely defensive stop or a last-minute shot to fall in the 63-60 loss.
 
"I've got to do a better job of knowing when our guys are defending and fouling too much and I've got to do a better job of mixing it up, maybe going zone, protecting Khaden Bennett from foul trouble," Wicks said. "My ego can't get in the way, and my stubbornness can't get in the way because I want to be a tougher man to man team and I want to teach through these plays."
 
Bennett only played 15 minutes against Fresno State before fouling out. He will need to be available for crunch time against Boise State as part of the guard rotation with Leland Walker, Damarion Dennis and Uriyah Rojas that must step up by committee in Meyer's absence.
 
Forwards Adam Harakow and Simm-Marten Saadi will likely get minutes at the three and four positions, respectively, to combat the Boise State's size advantage.
 
Freshman big man Gavin Gores has made the most of his first two career starts, averaging 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.
 
"I told Gavin after (Fresno State) he has been playing well, 'Don't look back, don't look in the rearview mirror, just keep growing,'" Wicks said. "His ceiling is really high and if he starts looking back at what he was or wasn't he's going to have some lack of success in the future. He's just got to keep growing and elevating. That's what you want in a program. As a coach you want to see a young man keep pushing the envelope and raise his floor."
 
UW, which is 9-2 at home this season, will continue this critical home stand against San Jose State at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the AA.
 
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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