One question heading into Summit League conference play was the schedule change which moved to two-game home sets versus the traditional home and away series. In basketball, would there be more splits as teams figured out their foes on the first night? Interestingly, there have been 22 sweeps and 11 splits during this COVID-19 interrupted season in Summit League play.
Denver (1-1) returned to Hamilton Gym Monday afternoon to face the Omaha Mavericks (2-2, 1-1). DU held a 17-1 record against Omaha heading into this match but the teams had a recent history of close games. Monday’s match was no different as the teams played close games with Omaha earning a late-game comeback to seal the match.
As the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) adds football, jettisons member Chicago State, adds five new members and becomes more geographically focused, Seattle University becomes even more isolated. A return to the West Coast Conference, Seattle’s former home, becomes a greater priority as the Redhawks become more geographically isolated and less aligned with fellow WAC member institutions. Continue reading WAC Sparks Conference Alignment Changes→
Denver (1-0) swept Omaha (1-2, 0-1) on Sunday afternoon at Hamilton Gym after missing the entire prior season due to COVID-19. The Pioneers had missed 416 days of competitive volleyball with no preseason matches prior to the contest. The early season match pitted two top division Summit League foes against each other. Denver was ranked #2 in the Summit League Preseason Poll and Omaha #3.
With the delayed 2020 season beginning this month, the DU volleyball team is back in the gym. And, like all of us, this program and its student-athletes are facing an uncertain season. As a result, head coach Tom Hogan has devised a plan that is far from typical or normal for a team facing such uncertain times.
Denver men’s hoops (1-12, 0-6) returned to the Scheels Center in Fargo to face North Dakota State (9-7, 7-1) Saturday night trying to stop a brutal 11 game skid. The last road game Denver won was in 2018 but Denver was buoyed with the return of leading scorer Jase Townsend. Unfortunately, Denver returned to recent form and was crushed by the Bison, 84-58. Continue reading Bison Trample DU, 84-58→
The University of Denver (1-11, 0-5) men’s basketball team traveled to Fargo and faced North Dakota State University (8-7, 6-1) Friday night at the Scheels Center. The Pioneers were without big man Robert Jones (leg injury) and top scorer Jase Townsend (ankle injury). Freshman Eric Moenkhaus and Sam Hines, Jr. had the start along with first-time starter Javonnie Bickham. Juniors’ Taelyr Gatlin and Tristan Green filled out the starting five for DU. Once again, Denver competed for most of the game, absent their top two scorers, but faded in the final minutes, 70-58.
Denver (1-10, 0-4) faced Oral Roberts University (8-6, 5-1) Saturday afternoon in a rematch. Once again, Denver was ice cold from the field and turned the ball over 16 times in the nine-point loss to ORU. Despite the final result, Denver continues to show resilience, continually battling back from deficits to make games close in the final minutes but unable to finish games with a ‘W’.
Oral Roberts University (7-6, 4-1) played Denver (1-9, 0-3) Friday afternoon. The DU game plan was to contain Oral Roberts’ big three – Kevin Obanor (20.5 ppg.), Max Abmas (21.0 ppg.) and RJ Glaspar (10.3 ppg) who have collectively accounted for 59 percent of the Golden Eagles scoring this season, including 87 percent of all Golden Eagles points over the last five games. The Pioneers held Obanor at bay (11 points) but 34 points from Abmas and 14 by Glaspar were enough to earn a tight victory for the visitors, 88-84. Continue reading Oral Roberts Pulls Away Late, 88-84→
We told you about Denver Beer Compay opening a brewery and pub several months ago. Work is continuing at 2425 South Downing street on a new Denver Beer Company (DBC) site. The retail project is set to be completed in late spring and open shortly thereafter. Continue reading Denver Beer Company on Track for Spring Opening→