Was Bennett’s Outing Against CSU a Fluke or Formal Introduction?

LARAMIE -- Fluke or formal introduction?

Sundance Wicks Thursday said he listened to a podcast earlier in the day that suggested Khaden Bennett's 22-point outburst against Colorado State 12 days ago was a one-off.

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Wyoming's head coach disagrees.

The numbers -- and eye test -- aren't deceiving.

"That game, for him, was the coming-out party, to be honest with you," Wicks said. "I think sometimes a game like that gives a guy super confidence in what you're capable of doing at this level."

The 6-foot-4 junior guard torched the Rams from deep, connecting on 6-of-8 attempts from beyond the arc in a 68-57 victory inside the Arena-Auditorium. Bennett also snagged 10 rebounds, securing his first double-double in a Cowboy uniform.

The Quinnipiac transfer added two assists, three blocks and a steal, earning the coveted buffalo trophy, given to the player who "walked into the storm."

"I think, I just continue to put in the work in and eventually it has to happen for me," Bennett said postgame. "Then, obviously my teammates continue to trust in me."

"He's a tough guy," starting point guard Leland Walker added.

Bennett, who averages 10 points a night and leads the team in rebounding at 4.8, has reached double-figures in three straight outings and four of the last five. After the career night against CSU, the Mansfield, Texas product bumped his average 12.5 points and five boards against Mountain West frontrunners San Diego State and Utah State.

He's also tasked with locking down the likes of BJ Davis, Drake Allen and Josh Pascarelli, three of the best guards in the conference.

Of all the impressive stats against the Rams, his performance on defense against the latter might have topped them all. The 6-foot-3 junior is splashing nearly 42% of his shots from beyond the three-point line. No guard on that roster is connecting at a higher clip.

Against Bennett, Pascarelli went 0-for-6 in that category. He missed his other two attempts from the field, too.

Wicks that night called it a "legacy game" for Bennett.

"I get goosebumps talking about him," Wicks continued. "He's the hardest playing guy. I mean, every time he comes out for starting lineup, I say, 'You're the hardest playing guy I know.' I don't know if I've ever seen a guy play harder and want it more than what he did tonight."

That opinion hasn't changed over the last dozen days.

"Do I expect him to be 6-for-8 from three? I don't expect anyone, in a lot of ways, to be 6-for-8 from three," Wicks said Thursday. "But I do expect him to still defend, rebound and play his ever-loving butt off and be the connector and (junkyard dog) that he is.

"He needs to go out there and make the winning plays that he always does."

The 246th edition of the Border War between the Cowboys (13-11, 4-9) and Rams (14-10, 5-8) is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Moby Arena in Fort Collins. The game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.