11/4/2026 10:48:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Pokes Insider
Sundance Wicks pleased with Wyoming's effort in 95-48 win over Regis
LARAMIE – Wyoming's season is off to a juicy start.
Head coach Sundance Wicks, the team's toughest critic, was happy with the Cowboys' performance, particularly in the second half, following their 95-48 victory over Regis in Tuesday's season opener at the Arena-Auditorium.
Wicks questioned UW's effort and toughness against College of Idaho in the final exhibition tuneup.
Message received.
"In the second half, our effort really spiked," Wicks said. "We didn't play that hard in the first three games in the exhibition season. Tonight, we played hard. Guys were gassed."
The Pokes shot 55.2% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range while piling up 50 points in the paint, 43 bench points, 26 points off turnovers, 23 fast-break points and 15 second-chance points.
Six different players scored in double figures, led by Khaden Bennett, who also had six rebounds, three assists and the lifetime memory of guarding his younger brother, Bryce. The Regis freshman finished with five points and three assists.
"That was fun playing against him and seeing him out there," Bennett said. "That was his first college game, so that part was fun. I have to go take a family picture after this (interview). I'm sure he's disappointed right now, but that team should be proud of what they did.
"They challenged us, especially with their pace and their toughness early in the game."
Wicks noted that his mentor, Regis head coach Rex Walters, ran some offensive sets that had the home team on its heels early.
"They got us confused on some of our coverages. We weren't communicating and we were pretty soft in a lot of areas," Wicks said. "That's a testament to what they were doing to us. We had to make some adjustments at halftime."
UW overwhelmed the Rangers with a 53-21 blitz after the intermission.
Parker Gerrits finished with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting, along with three rebounds and an assist, in his UW debut. Wicks has compared the Washington State transfer to recent Cowboy "glue guys" Cole Henry and Kiani Saxon.
Sophomores Nasir (Naz) Meyer (11 points, four rebounds) and Gavin Gores (10 points, five rebounds) also made significant impacts and produced some highlight-reel plays.
Wicks know the talent on the roster can contend in the Mountain West this season. But the labor of love on display over the final 20 minutes against Regis needs to be consistent throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
"They're a cool bunch of guys and they're really fun to be around, but we have to spike the heart rate a little bit with some of these cats," Wicks said. "Parker Gerrits does a really good job of that in the huddles. We're starting to get Naz to talk a little bit more and guys to step up and communicate a little bit more on that aspect. I love the team."
All nine healthy players coming off the bench got on the court.
Mike Mora had 10 points and four steals in 19 minutes, Linus Ruf had 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 10 minutes, Canin Jefferson had nine points and four assists in 16 minutes, and Madden Smiley earned the "Bring Your Own Juice" chain after grabbing eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
"We came out flat against College of Idaho. Even the first half tonight, we were a little bit flat," Mora said. "But I think in the second half we had a lot of energy. Guys like Mad Dog (Smiley) right here, getting eight rebounds, that's the stuff we need to come up with in big wins like this."
The Cowboys (1-0) host Idaho State on Friday in the Arena-Auditorium (6:30 p.m., MW+).
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.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
Head coach Sundance Wicks, the team's toughest critic, was happy with the Cowboys' performance, particularly in the second half, following their 95-48 victory over Regis in Tuesday's season opener at the Arena-Auditorium.
Wicks questioned UW's effort and toughness against College of Idaho in the final exhibition tuneup.
Message received.
"In the second half, our effort really spiked," Wicks said. "We didn't play that hard in the first three games in the exhibition season. Tonight, we played hard. Guys were gassed."
The Pokes shot 55.2% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range while piling up 50 points in the paint, 43 bench points, 26 points off turnovers, 23 fast-break points and 15 second-chance points.
Six different players scored in double figures, led by Khaden Bennett, who also had six rebounds, three assists and the lifetime memory of guarding his younger brother, Bryce. The Regis freshman finished with five points and three assists.
"That was fun playing against him and seeing him out there," Bennett said. "That was his first college game, so that part was fun. I have to go take a family picture after this (interview). I'm sure he's disappointed right now, but that team should be proud of what they did.
"They challenged us, especially with their pace and their toughness early in the game."
Wicks noted that his mentor, Regis head coach Rex Walters, ran some offensive sets that had the home team on its heels early.
"They got us confused on some of our coverages. We weren't communicating and we were pretty soft in a lot of areas," Wicks said. "That's a testament to what they were doing to us. We had to make some adjustments at halftime."
UW overwhelmed the Rangers with a 53-21 blitz after the intermission.
Parker Gerrits finished with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting, along with three rebounds and an assist, in his UW debut. Wicks has compared the Washington State transfer to recent Cowboy "glue guys" Cole Henry and Kiani Saxon.
Sophomores Nasir (Naz) Meyer (11 points, four rebounds) and Gavin Gores (10 points, five rebounds) also made significant impacts and produced some highlight-reel plays.
Wicks know the talent on the roster can contend in the Mountain West this season. But the labor of love on display over the final 20 minutes against Regis needs to be consistent throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
"They're a cool bunch of guys and they're really fun to be around, but we have to spike the heart rate a little bit with some of these cats," Wicks said. "Parker Gerrits does a really good job of that in the huddles. We're starting to get Naz to talk a little bit more and guys to step up and communicate a little bit more on that aspect. I love the team."
All nine healthy players coming off the bench got on the court.
Mike Mora had 10 points and four steals in 19 minutes, Linus Ruf had 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 10 minutes, Canin Jefferson had nine points and four assists in 16 minutes, and Madden Smiley earned the "Bring Your Own Juice" chain after grabbing eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
"We came out flat against College of Idaho. Even the first half tonight, we were a little bit flat," Mora said. "But I think in the second half we had a lot of energy. Guys like Mad Dog (Smiley) right here, getting eight rebounds, that's the stuff we need to come up with in big wins like this."
The Cowboys (1-0) host Idaho State on Friday in the Arena-Auditorium (6:30 p.m., MW+).
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.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
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