Photo: Denver Seniors, DU Website
LetsGoDU predicted 11 wins for the 2015-16 DU men’s hoops (14-14) squad based on their schedule, roster turnover, inexperience, and a host of unknowns regarding this year’s squad.
They passed that figure January 28th with a 66-52 win against against South Dakota at Magness Arena and have added three more victories since.
Now, the men’s basketball team can achieve another significant milestone. If they can take down North Dakota State (18-11) Saturday at 4:00 at Magness Arena – they will finish the season above .500. The basketball team will be playing second fiddle to a DU lacrosse game earlier in the day between DU and Sacred Heart at 1:00 but this is the perfect time for DU fans to make a day of DU athletics by going to both events.
Finishing over .500 would send some very important messages. The roster turnover this year has been stabilized by a solid incoming class of freshmen. Joe Rosga is clearly the leader of this bunch but Thomas Neff and C.J. Bobbitt look to comprise a solid core of players to build on going forward.
This team has also proven to be resilient. They seem to always rebound (pardon the pun) from bad streaks and losing stretches – just when everything looks lost. DU’s senior leaders – Marcus Byrd, Bryant Rucker, and Nate Engesser can take a great deal of the credit for this squad’s toughness. They have a chance to cap their careers and leave the program on an upward trajectory on Senior Day. Finally, DU can complete the regular season with momentum and gain confidence heading into the Summit League playoffs in Sioux Falls, SD March 5th-8th.
This years squad has a chance to make a statement Saturday, even to program skeptics – the best may be yet to come.
Is the kid from Australia who blew out his knee still in school? Rumor was that he is a major recruit who can be a difference maker, like a O’neale or Udophia.
Abiola Akintola injured his knee before the season started. A 6’6″ forward from Melbourne, AUS. The coaches were hopeful to get him back but he either did not fully recover or they decided to, essentially, redshirt him. Let’s hope you are right when he returns to the hardwood next season!
Is the kid from Australia who blew out his knee still in school? Rumor was that he is a major recruit who can be a difference maker, like a O’neale or Udophia.
Abiola Akintola injured his knee before the season started. A 6’6″ forward from Melbourne, AUS. The coaches were hopeful to get him back but he either did not fully recover or they decided to, essentially, redshirt him. Let’s hope you are right when he returns to the hardwood next season!