Coming off a huge 2-OT win Thursday night. Denver (13-9, 4-3) hit the proverbial wall Saturday afternoon. Omaha shot the lights out – going 57% (33/58) from the field, 56.5% (13-23) from downtown and 100% from the line (12/12). Denver was caught flat-footed and outrebounded 29-40 as nothing went right for a Denver team that was fatigued from their Thursday night marathon win. No excuses though, Omaha was the better team. The Mavs were led by a Pioneer killer Frankie Filder who put on a clinic with 31 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 block. The junior forward is a delight to watch – just not when you have to play against him.
The story of the game is a simple one. Omaha came out with a great first half and led by 10 points, 43-33. The Mavs were 7-15 from downtown, had a 5 rebound edge and outshot Denver 54.5% to 37.1%. DU’s 10-point deficit looked ugly but manageable. Omaha had to cool off, right?
Wrong. Omaha started the second half with a 17-0 run, 60-33 score, and it was game, set and match. The Denver coaching staff tinkered with different player combinations, presses and match-ups but the Mavericks seemed to hit every shot, tray and free throw. Well, Momma said they’ll be days like this…As Bill Belichick would say, “On to Kansas City.”
The crowd was very good, not great. Like PT Barnum said, “Without promotion, something terrible happens… Nothing!” An empty seat is a lost opportunity to show the City of Denver its DI college basketball team. The University doled out $4.90 cent tickets Saturday to honor Tommy Bruner’s heroic 49 point game Thursday. That was a good start. Two huge issues remain. Fans were unable to get food at halftime because of long lines at the single concession stand – a swim meet was going on at the time, too. Also, fans in our section were complaining because they could not purchase any DU merchandise in the lobby. DU basketball needs to play better and the marketing team needs to clean up our fan experience and elevate the food service game to an acceptable level. We are DI after all.
That’s unfortunate that there was minimal concessions and no merchandise. Yes DU needs to do better so people have a fun experience and come back
I don’t know what will get DU’s administration to pay attention or care about the fan experience. You’ve got a great product on the court – the leading scorer in the nation, a program that has some buzz around it and a community that is beginning to truly support the program based on increasing attendance numbers. This coaching staff and their players are building a winning program, but it all seems to be an afterthought to the powers that be at DU. The program is doing its part. It’s not too much to ask for fans to be able to buy a T-shirt (the gear of the game that’s flashed on the screen…and sold at the bookstore?) or be able to get some food at the lone concession stand. Time for the university to put up or shut up, because the fan experience, or lack thereof, will turn people off despite the great product on the court.
Ugh, what a letdown. I had such high hopes to see a DU victory in person yesterday, but that was ugly. UNO shot the lights out, DU didn’t do itself any favors by not defending the 3 ball very well, and this game turned into a blowout. Not much positive to take from this one.
I think South Dakota was exhausted too. They fell to UMKC 81-57. Double-OT took their legs.
Unfortunate loss. You have to win home games!
I don’t understand DU not paying attention to the game experience. I streamed the DU/ UND game and UND definitely pays attention to it! They don’t get 10,000 fans by just having a great hockey program.
I’ve brought this up before, but DU has no student pep band playing at any hockey or basketball events. For a DI program that is VERY unusual!
Tell us about it. DU had a pep band for years, but DU athletics killed it off last year, due to costs and inconsistent numbers showing up. I think they could do a much better job on that if they cared about it, but they believe canned generic pop music that you hear at pro sports events is fine and saves them money for other things. Personally, I think it makes the DU game night too generic.