Denver men’s basketball (3-4) started the game with a small line-up to include Isaiah Addo Ankrah, Nicholas Shogbonyo, Josh Pickett, Sabastian Akins and Jon Mani against the Cal State Northridge Matadors, DU’s center Isaiah Carr was out of the lineup, likely with a hand injury incurred during yesterday’s game. Denver got in early foul trouble with nine fouls and entered the double bonus by the midway point of the first half. Denver fell into a double-digit hole, 35-18, as Cal State Northridge went on a 14-0 run. Denver was doubled up 40-20 with 4:45 remaining. It was a brutal half that had the Denver coaching staff call a timeout and an emotional challenge by head Coach Wulbrun to his team in the final five minutes. The first half ended 48-33. C-Sun shot 57% from the field to the Pioneers 37% and doubled up C-Sun on fouls with 14 in the half.
The second half was more of the same. Six minutes into the half, a three-point jumper and natural three-point play by C-Sun gave the Matadors a 24-point lead, 64-40. That lead carried over to the midway point of the second half. The Matadors entered the double bonus with five and a half minutes remaining as C-Sun’s lead grew to 26 points. It was a painful last five minutes as the game spiralled to an 89-60 final.
The numbers say it all. Denver was outscored in the paint 50-8, outrebounded (43-24) and gave up 27 fast break points while not generating any of their own points on the break.
The key now is managing the team’s confidence following the blowout and managing the things they can control. Turnovers (14), personal fouls (29) and field goal shooting (33.9%) have little to do with the lack of overall team size.
Next up is Utah Tech at 2:00 pm MT tomorrow in Missoula, Montana to finish up the three-day Stu Morrill Classic.
Wow, that’s brutal. 50-8 in the paint? 43-24 on the boards? 27-0 on fast break points?
Looks like a long year.
We are down 3 players, all 6’9” or taller. I’m too disgusted to get into details. This has makings of a disaster season. Hope our 2 remaining bigs get healthy and contribute. The other big who was game ready returned to Poland. None of this is on the coach or players. (maybe coach should have brought in some 6’6” juco’s with bulk). Actually our guards are pretty good, but undersized. Still, Dunker will probably watch evert game.
Woody Hayes once said “Nothing cleanses the soul like a good ass-kicking.”
Well. the Pios got the CSUN Matadors’ boot in their ass today and losing by almost 30 feels like shit for everyone – players, coaches and fans.
Those days can (and will) happen to young teams, especially those who are beat up with too many injuries and defections to the front line, too many turnovers and poor shooting on top of that.
However, there will be another a test tomorrow to see if, on wobbly legs playing from three games in three days, the Pios can show some heart and resilience against Utah Tech…
Lets see what these guys are made of…
So let’s all over-react and fully jump into a negative mind-set. My goodness gracious. Every team gets pounded at some point. Bad game. Opponent smelled blood in the water. All came together for a thoroughly forgettable experience. Everything in Coach’s history here says they will bounce back and make the most of their talent. They will play hard. They will play together. They will compete. They will be good students. They will be good representatives of the program.
Let them grow and develop. It’s our job to support them as fans, not cry OMG and react emotionally to each and every single moment in time.