If you’ve stepped foot in Laramie lately, you know the air is a little different. It’s not just the wind—though that's definitely still there—it’s the vibe around the Arena-Auditorium. People are talking about Sundance Wicks and this revamped roster with a mix of cautious optimism and genuine "I’m buying tickets right now" energy. We are officially deep into the 2025-26 season, and honestly, the Wyoming men's basketball schedule is entering its most brutal, high-stakes stretch.
The Cowboys are currently sitting at 11-6 overall with a 2-4 mark in Mountain West play. They just had a tough night at the "Double A," dropping a 74-57 contest to a very disciplined San Diego State team on Wednesday. It was one of those nights where the rim felt like it had a lid on it; the Pokes shot just 31 percent. But that's the Mountain West for you. It's a meat grinder.
The Upcoming Gauntlet: January and February Dates
If you’re trying to plan your weekends around the Pokes, get your calendar out. The schedule doesn't get easier from here. The Mountain West is currently one of the deepest conferences in the country, and Wyoming has some massive opportunities—and hurdles—coming up fast.
The Remainder of January
- January 17 (Saturday): At Fresno State (5:00 PM MT). The Bulldogs are 8-9 and struggling, so this is basically a must-win road game if the Cowboys want to stay in the middle of the pack.
- January 20 (Tuesday): vs. Boise State (6:30 PM MT). The Broncos are always physical. This is a massive home game.
- January 24 (Saturday): vs. San Jose State (2:00 PM MT). A weekend matinee in Laramie.
- January 28 (Wednesday): At Utah State (7:00 PM MT). This is the big one. The Aggies are currently ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll and are sitting atop the conference.
- January 31 (Saturday): vs. Colorado State (7:30 PM MT). It’s the Border War. Enough said. The Arena-Auditorium will be rocking for this one.
Into the February Stretch
- February 3 (Tuesday): At San Diego State (9:00 PM MT). A revenge game in Viejas Arena.
- February 7 (Saturday): vs. Utah State (5:00 PM MT). The return leg against the Aggies.
- February 14 (Saturday): At Colorado State (6:00 PM MT). Valentine's Day in Fort Collins—expect zero love between these two fanbases.
- February 17 (Tuesday): vs. Fresno State (5:30 PM MT).
- February 21 (Saturday): At Grand Canyon (5:00 PM MT). Remember, Grand Canyon is the new kid in the Mountain West block this year, and they are legitimate.
- February 24 (Tuesday): At Boise State (6:00 PM MT).
- February 28 (Saturday): vs. Air Force (1:00 PM MT).
Who's Actually Leading This Team?
It’s easy to look at a Wyoming men's basketball schedule and just see dates, but the names on the court are why those dates matter. Leland Walker has been the engine. The senior guard, who came over from FAU, is averaging 14.5 points and leads the team in assists. He’s the guy who has the ball when the shot clock is winding down.
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Then there’s Nasir "Naz" Meyer. He’s a freshman, but you wouldn't know it by looking at his stat line. He’s putting up nearly 14 points a game and has reached double figures in 12 contests already. He’s 6'7", athletic, and has a high ceiling.
Pro Tip for Fans: Watch out for Gavin Gores. He’s another freshman who just put up a career-high 12 points against San Diego State. He’s starting to find his rhythm at exactly the right time for this rotation.
Why This Season Feels Different
Sundance Wicks has brought a level of "juice" (his favorite word) back to Laramie. The non-conference portion of the schedule was actually quite successful. The Pokes picked up wins against teams like Northern Colorado, Austin Peay, and a blowout over Denver. They even pushed Texas Tech to the brink in Lubbock back in November.
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However, the Mountain West is a different beast. Currently, the league has eight teams in the top 100 of the NET rankings. That is insane for a "mid-major" conference. Wyoming is sitting right around 88 in the NET, which means they are in the conversation for postseason play, but they have zero margin for error.
The Logistics: Tickets and Watching the Games
If you aren't making the drive to Laramie, you've still got options. Most of the high-profile games are on CBS Sports Network or the Mountain West Network.
- Tickets: You can get them at GoWyo.com/tickets.
- Student Promo: For the recent San Diego State game, they actually offered free tickets to any student—college, high school, or even elementary—to try and pack the student section. Keep an eye on the official Twitter (X) account for similar deals for the Boise State and CSU games.
- Radio: The Cowboy Sports Network has 26 affiliates across the state. Keith Kelley is the voice you'll hear on the call.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pokes
Most national analysts saw the roster turnover from last year and assumed Wyoming would be a cellar-dweller. They didn't account for the "Elevation Effect" or Sundance's ability to get guys to play harder than their recruiting rankings suggest.
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The defense has been surprisingly solid, especially in the interior with Abou Magassa and Kiani Saxon. The issue has been consistency. They’ll look like world-beaters against UNLV (a 98-66 win) and then struggle to find a bucket against New Mexico.
Basically, if they can find a way to win their home games against Boise State and Colorado State, they are looking at a potential NIT or even a "bubble" conversation for the big dance if they go on a run in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas come March.
Next Steps for Pokes Fans: Check the official Wyoming Athletics site for the most up-to-date tip-off times, as TV networks sometimes flex games by 30 minutes. If you’re heading to the Border War on January 31, make sure to arrive at least an hour early—parking at the Arena-Auditorium for the CSU game is notoriously difficult. You might also want to look into the "Pokes Party Zone" in Section A, which offers happy hour pricing on beer during the game.