Last week, forward Alperen Kurnaz (6’8″, 220 lbs.) announced his intention to transfer from DU. Kurnaz was a positive force on the squad but his overall contributions on the floor were modest last season with 3.4 ppg. and 2.8 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game. Then, this week, center/forward David Nzwekwesi (6’9″, 240 lbs.) joined Kurnaz in the transfer portal. He scored 5.7 points last season with 3.3 rebounds in 16.6 minutes. Kurnaz and Nzekwesi mark the third and fourth Pioneers to transfer this offseason, as the first transfer was sophomore shooting guard Joe Lanzi, and the second was little-used freshman forward Owen McGlashan. None of the four have announced a destination after leaving DU. Continue reading Nzekwesi and Kurnaz Enter Transfer Portal
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Summit League Announces 2020-2021 Plans
Earlier this week, the NCAA gave clearance for schools to bring football and basketball players back to practice on campus on June 1st. In the wake of the NCAA’s announcement, the Joint Council of the Summit League, which is made up of school athletic directors and senior woman administrators, recently agreed to keep the current conference schedules, tournament qualifier criteria, and tournament structure in place for the upcoming school year despite the crippling financial implications of COVID-19 across the country. That means that eight teams will continue to qualify for the Sioux Falls basketball tournament which determines the Summit League representative for the NCAA tournament. Continue reading Summit League Announces 2020-2021 Plans
CU Big Man Transferring to DU
A crowded roster just got more so as 6’10”, 240-pound sophomore center/power forward Frank Ryder transferred to DU. Denver basketball focused on recruiting perimeter players this offseason until news of the Ryder move was reported by Chase Howell on Buffs Country.
Ryder started his collegiate playing career at the University of San Diego but moved back home to Boulder to play with the Buffs. Health issues plagued Ryder who underwent two open-heart surgeries. Last season his playing time was extremely limited at CU but he is now said to be fully recovered. He entered the NCAA transfer portal recently and DU offered him a scholarship which he accepted. Because he was a walk-on at CU, he will be immediately eligible to play for the Pioneers.
Just like old times… 3 months post heart surgery pic.twitter.com/Yw1efSihxi
— Frank Ryder (@Iam_Ryder) June 8, 2018
Ryder attended Fairview High School in Boulder for his prep career. He will join DU center Robert Jones in the frontcourt along with David Nzekwesi, Tristan Greene, Alperen Kurnaz and Javonni Bickham.
Photo: Courtesy The Denver Post
College Athletics Adapt to New Financial Realities
Athletic-department cuts have forced Bowling Green State University to drop its baseball program, saving the school a half-million dollars annually. The move will eliminate two full-time coaches and a part-time coach. There are also 34 student-athletes affected by the move. Continue reading College Athletics Adapt to New Financial Realities
North Dakota Holds Drive-Thru Graduation
The University of Denver announced a Day of Recognition graduation event along with a local photo opportunity at Mary Reed Circle scheduled for Friday, June 12th. A more traditional graduation ceremony for DU grads as been rescheduled for the spring of 2021.
However, Denver Hockey archrival University of North Dakota had other plans. Continue reading North Dakota Holds Drive-Thru Graduation
Natural Scorer Added To DU Men’s Hoops Roster
A decommittment from incoming 6’4″ guard Omar Rowe may have opened up the gates for DU to secure a steady scorer to support Jase Townsend and Robert Jones.
DU has received a verbal commitment from 6’4″ shooting guard Eric Moenkhaus from Greenwood, Indiana and Lincoln Trail Junior College. A proven scorer, Moenkhause scored 25 points in his final game, a junior college district quarterfinals game in March. A guard/wing, Moenkhaus has displayed an efficient scoring touch at stops with Lincoln Trail College with 10.0 points per game while shooting 45.5% from the field, 42.7% from beyond the arc and 76.5% from the free throw line. Continue reading Natural Scorer Added To DU Men’s Hoops Roster
Augustana to Receive a Virtual Tour and Summit Membership Vote this Month
In a wide-sweeping Wednesday interview about league matters with KWSN’s “Sports Talk with Craig and John,” Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple said Augustana will receive a campus visit and interview from league officials in Mid-May, as planned, although it will now be a “virtual” tour and interview. The conference’s school presidents, presumably including DU’s Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, will then use the information from the visit and vote on a possible invitation to the Vikings in late May. Continue reading Augustana to Receive a Virtual Tour and Summit Membership Vote this Month
DU Planning on Fall Re-Opening
In a community announcement, DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner said DU will “reopen with face-to-face classes when we begin our fall quarter in mid-September, even if it must be modified in some way.” This assumes no local, state, or federal barriers that would limit, modify, or halt a planned reopening. Continue reading DU Planning on Fall Re-Opening
Crime Around DU During Quarantine
The Mayor of Denver, Michael B. Hancock, issued stay-at-home orders a month ago on March 23rd. We examined Denver crime statistics for the combined neighborhoods of University and University Park to get an understanding of crime in our current stay-at-home world. Continue reading Crime Around DU During Quarantine
Message Sent: No Students on Campus, No Athletics
The commissioners of the nation’s major college football conferences held a 30-minute conference call Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence and stressed that college sports cannot return from the COVID-19 shutdown until campuses have re-opened, according to an ABC news article. And, the same, likely, holds true for all other universities and sports. Continue reading Message Sent: No Students on Campus, No Athletics