The result was the same (a loss) but the overall effort and execution on defense was much improved in the 69-50 loss to the North Dakota State Bison on Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Gym. Denver remains both winless (0-4) and shorthanded in Summit League play.
Denver was without starting point guard DeAndre Craig for the second game. The undersized Pioneers battled all game long, following a 19-4 opening deficit in the first nine minutes. Denver had their lowest offensive output in a half this season, shooting 28% (7/15) against North Dakota State and trailed 35-19 at the break.
As the old adage goes, while offense can come and go, defense is the glue that holds games close. The defensive performance by DU against NDSU was, perhaps, their best of the season. Denver shaved the deficit to 11 points, 45-34, but foul calls and game stoppages by the officials broke any momentum Denver created in the final 20 minutes. While we rarely mention the officials, the past two crews (two different officiating crews) were both awful. NDSU went to the line 25 times on a number of questionable calls and the Bison were exempted from numerous uncalled fouls (elbowing, offensive hooking, backcourt violations, traveling, pushing and over-the-back fouls). DU made it to the line 17 times. Again, Denver did not deserve to win but the game could have been much more competitive with some semblance of balance.
North Dakota built on their double-digit lead over the final ten minutes and the game ended 69-50. Denver fell to 0-4 in Summit League Conference play. The reality, like it or not, is that Denver is going to be thin on the front line for the balance of the season. Most teams Denver faces will have at least two big men against Abdula Fanta Kabba. Kabba is showing improvement but Denver is going to struggle on inside offense. The Pioneers will have to rely on stout defense, the ongoing development of Kabba and the play out of their backcourt. Most importantly, team defense must be their staple because they will be challenged to score easy inside points in the paint.
Nicholas Shogbonyo got back on track for DU with 16 points. Freshman Josh Pickett finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds. Josh Lee scored 8 points with 5 rebounds.
Next up, Omaha travels to Denver on Wednesday, January 15th at 7:00 pm MT.
It’s definitely dispiriting to see the team struggling the way it is this season. I haven’t been to a game yet, and there’s still a lot of season left, but there doesn’t seem to be much to get excited about at this point.
I feel badly for Wulbrun. He seems like a good coach and a really good guy, but the optimism and momentum generated last season seems to have waned quite a bit.