The Denver men’s basketball season (15-17, 8-8 Summit League), their last in the Summit, ended with a first-round conference tournament thud, an 83-67 drubbing by North Dakota. UND, by no means a basketball power, advanced to the finals against North Dakota State. The Fighting Hawks were dispatched, 64-51, in the conference final. It was a bitter end to an unexpectedly competitive season, which was preceded by changes on and off the court. Let’s not get carried away – Denver won more games just two seasons ago and advanced to the Summit League final. It is not yet fair to say Denver basketball’s on-court product is clearly on an upward trajectory. There is still plenty of work to be done.

Denver must use the sting of the final two games, both losses, as fuel for serious introspection as they enter the much more competitive West Coast Conference next season. They must build a deeper, bigger, and more athletic squad for next season. The Summit League was ranked #25 nationally by Team Rankings, while the WCC is ranked #8. The WCC’s ranking is certainly bolstered by the presence of #12 Gonzaga, which is departing for the Pac-12 at season’s end, but even without the Zags, the WCC is objectively much better than the Summit.

Next season, DU will play fewer Division II games (Pios went 4-0 in those games this year) and more non-conference games against top-flight programs. Scheduling strength in non-conference games is a membership requirement mandated by the WCC. The worst team in the WCC this season, Pepperdine (9-23, 4-14), was ranked #273 in the NET rankings while Denver was not far ahead at #241. The WCC has 3 teams in the Top 100 while their newest member, Seattle U,  checks in at #122, and #120 UC San Diego joins in 2027. You get the point – the Pioneers have their work cut out for them.

Seattle U men’s basketball started at a much higher level than DU entering the WCC this season and finished the season 20-13 (8-10 in the WCC). They defeated San Diego in the WCC Tournament before falling to Pacific in the next round. Overall, it was an outstanding first season in the WCC for the Redhawks. It would be a huge reach to expect Denver to deliver those types of results in their first year. However, in the ever-changing NCAA landscape, changes can be made quickly to rosters and fortunes.

The key returning player for DU is sophomore and Summit League Player of the Year Carson Johnson, who has already stated his intent to return to the Pioneers next season. He will needed for his continuity, production, and system knowledge. Sophomore forward Shaun Wysocki shows promise but needs to add strength and consistency. Junior Didier Maleng is likely a ‘big’ off the bench. Maleng has had his moments off the bench, but needs to add strength and improve on the defensive end. Junior forward Gabe Oldham is a keeper with his defensive presence, while his offensive production is sporadic.

A wild card could be highly regarded redshirt freshman guard Trajan Thompson. He could take a step up next season, but his production is unproven. That means DU will get 7-8 opportunities to bring in new players – a massive potential transformation. Denver must replace production from four of their top five scorers – Jeremiah Burke, Zane Nelson, Logan Kinsey, and Julius Rollins, all of whom will graduate this Spring.

Expect Tim Bergstraser and his staff to be turning over rocks in the transfer portal and scanning for top-flight D2 prospects. Several nationally ranked programs have benefited from high-level D2 transfers. The Summit League may also be a source of talent. DU has already seen players like G Andy Stefonowicz (North Dakota State), G Greyson Uelmen (North Dakota), and G Nolan Minessale (St. Thomas) who would be productive in a better conference. However, other teams will be looking to poach these players as well. One or two high school recruits could be an option, as many blue-chip prep players are being bypassed by major programs, who are signing more experienced, proven mid-majors and portal transfers. Finally, foreign players may be on the board for the Pioneers to fill the talent gap.

Denver is also working on tangible plans to improve the Hamilton Gym gameday experience, including seatbacks, better lighting, and new field-goal standards. Work with the Lamont School of Music has failed to produce a pep band (yet again, Lamont remains a stick in the mud), but the athletic department is exploring undergraduate solutions. As attendance increases, Denver Athletics has expressed the willingness to move basketball back into Magness Arena. Improvements to concessions, ingress/egress, and entertainment are areas that need continued focus and improvement.

Hopefully, Denver will use the last two games of the season as a reminder that there is much work to be done this offseason. Ultimately, on the margins, Denver does not have the talent and firepower to ensure consistency in the WCC. The Pioneers will only have one season to make a first impression, and that includes the students and community who have long waited for a quality Division I basketball product. Work by the Denver basketball staff, athletic department, and school administration is vital if Denver wants to be relevant, let alone competitive, in the WCC.

If you’re looking for a glimpse into the future, Gonzaga and Santa Clara face each other tonight for the WCC title game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on ESPN at 7:00 pm MT.