Denver men’s basketball is not going to the NCAA tournament but they will be impacted, one way or another, by the opening of the transfer portal today. Teams will be assessing their own players. Players will be assessing their own teams and schools. Other teams will be assessing other team’s players.  And of course, there is the lure of NIL (Name Image & Likeness) money which will influence some players (and parents). Expect 2,000+ players to head for the exits before next season, impacting 351 NCAA DI teams in the process.

Basketball has become, in many instances, transactional. Perhaps less so at the mid-major level but still a consideration for top-tier players. And the timing of the portal this season is strange.

The first step for Denver men’s basketball is gaining alignment between current players and the coaching staff on each player’s desire to return and the team’s desire to retain them. Relationships, playing time, coaching/playing style, family, educational experience and, in some cases, NIL money will be the determining factor. No doubt, much of this groundwork was done before the portal opening today.

Denver is graduating two key statistical contributors – Tommy Bruner and Jaxon Brenchley. The team should benefit by the continued growth and development of Isaiah Carr and DeAndre Craig. Veterans Touko Tainamo, Pedro Lopez Sanvicente, and Isaiah Addo Ankrah are also valuable contributors and minutes-getters for DU. Tyson Garff, Dan Makuna, Josh Lee and Ben Bowen played limited minutes and will want clarity on their roles next season. Denver also has three incoming freshmen.

No doubt, Denver will be looking for offensive players to replace the scoring of Tommy Bruner and their top-quartile scoring offense. Also, expect a veteran player like Brenchley to be added for veteran floor leadership and stability. Denver will also want to improve on their bottom-quartile defensive standings from this past season. It took time for the Pioneers to integrate their eight new players and one freshman into an effective defensive unit before coming together in the Summit League Tournament.

Some teams will be decimated, some will gain strength while others hope to maintain the status quo. The next thirty days will be critical to determine what the immediate future will bring to Denver men’s basketball.

We’ll keep you updated.

If you want to support our outstanding Denver basketball players, the Crimson & Gold Collective is a different kind of NIL. The goal is to raise funds to provide DU basketball players with an outstanding campus experience, commensurate with other Denver students – not lifetime wealth. Any donation amount is important for meals, family travel and incidentals. Please consider a gift HERE.

Do you want to contribute to Tommy Bruner’s 501(C)3?  You can contact Tommy at therealbedifferent@gmail.com.