Why mess around with a long game write-up. Let’s begin with the end. Sure, 49 points is great but the game-winning steal by Tommy Bruner was the play of the game. Let’s just look at the final seconds when Denver found a way to earn a last-second double-OT win at Hamilton Gym.
pardon my french but
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/QiM2A52ygd
— LetsGoDU (@LetsGoDU) January 26, 2024
It was an electric Hamilton Gym where each team threw punches and counterpunches. Ultimately, it was brilliant clock management down the stretch by head coach Jeff Wulbrun, imploring his team to overcome deficits again and again. Ultimately, it was his team’s execution that spurred the last-second win.
Hamilton Gym was packed and the DU Board of Trustees were in town for a meeting and witness to the rebirth of a once floundering program – just a few seasons ago the worst basketball program in the land. This team and these coaches showed exactly what can happen when a great product meets a hungry fan base.
Tommy Bruner was all-world on the night but no one should forget his foil – South Dakota’s Kaleb Stewart. Stewart nearly matched Bruner with an incredible game, scoring 44 points going (16/31 from the field, 8-13 from downtown and 4/4 from the line). He was nearly unstoppable and seemed to sink shots every time Denver made a push. On any other night, Stewart would have earned his team a road win. Tommy Bruner had a gaudy stat line as well (15/34 from the field, 5-12 from downtown, 14/15 from the line) but it was his game-winning steal, pass and the game-winning three-point shot by Isaiah Addo-Ankrah that sealed the win.
A team that historically owned the short end of the stick has a bunch of players who weren’t around for the last-second meltdowns, collapses and disappointment. Led by coaches Jeff Wulbrun, Rob Zewe, Alex Mumphard and B.J. Porter, this team showed they can win, even when it looks improbable. Sure, if you like a steady dose of defensive excellence and low-scoring games, you’ll need to go somewhere else. If you want a high-flying circus, watch these guys – they play without a net. We’ve waited a long time for nights like tonight. A brisk winter night, a boiling gym and watching the improbable morph into the possible.
After his heroics, Bruner exited stage left with chants of “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy” but this was a team win. Touko Tainamo had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Isaiah Carr had one of his best games with 12 points (6/6) and 4 rebounds. Isaiah Addo-Ankra’s 12 points and four three-point makes were big but his final tray brought the house. down.
The nation’s leading scorer, Tommy Bruner, stole the game and is bending DU basketball fortunes.
If you missed it, so sorry – it was a game for the ages.
Speechless. This game is exactly the reason to invest in our basketball program. Game of the year in the NCAA?
Dunker won’t forget this win.
Electric stuff. LFG….Bruner and the Pioneers!!! Fun season, don’t stop now.
Amazing game. One of the incredible plays that can’t be overlooked was Brenchley’s chase down block. That play kept DU alive. Best game I’ve ever seen in person.
Like the movie monster who seems to have met his demise, only to spring back and fight, the Pioneers refused to throw in the towel. Their efforts continued despite many instances suggesting there was no longer a path to success. Reminiscent of the recent comeback efforts at Greeley (fell short because the early hole was dug too deeply), this team, and its coaches, keep trying when most would lift the foot off of the pedal and coast. This game should be required viewing for any group desirous of learning about team effort, mental toughness and desire. Add in the opportunity to see how boxing out for rebounding and execution at the free throw line affects outcomes. Many teaching moments here because both teams could have managed their defenses better, yet each squad should be proud of their gladiator credentials on January 25, 2024. For DU players there appears to be an inner voice shouting out that it isn’t over till the fat lady sings. The Pioneers made their statement 0.2 seconds before handing the microphone over to Lizzo.
Gritty, Gritty team. Can’t wait for the Summit League Tourney. This team reminds me of the night Mohammad Ali proclaimed he was going to shock the world.
Aarrghhhhh, wish I had seen this in person!! Wow, GO PIOS!!!!!!!
They showed some pretty extensive highlights from this game, maybe a minute or two, on Sportscenter last night. Awesome.
Well, this was a game that showed the electricity and high drama of what a fun game college basketball can be when there is a home crowd there to cheer it on…Hope the DU Board of Trustees enjoyed what they saw….DU may not have played pretty or even well, but they showed the kind of grit and determination to play to the buzzer again and again, and they got a magic win for their persistence and will to win.
Congrats to the Pios for coming out on the winning end of it, and for the high hoops noise level returning to the campus for the first time in about a decade. Let’s hope this is also the beginning of bigger crowds at DU, so the powers that be can return the program to Magness Arena, where it should have been all along…
For Bruner, that game was a reward for a guy that has been through the college basketball wringer and stuck with it- UC Upstate, then Jacksonville, now DU. He’s showing his high character off the court by helping kids with his foundation, and he’s leading the charge to make us all feel proud to be Pios today…