Category Archives: Men’s Basketball

Portal Door Slams Shut, What’s Left When the Smoke Clears?

The transfer portal closed on May 11th with 1,746 DI basketball players seeking greener pastures. With 351 DI programs, teams lost an average of nearly five players to the portal. In DU’s case, they lost promising freshman Justin Mullins to  Northwestern and second-team preseason All-Summit league player Tevin Smith to Cleveland State. Both players would have been projected starters for the 2023-24 season. Scores of players remain uncommitted until the start of a new school year. Continue reading Portal Door Slams Shut, What’s Left When the Smoke Clears?

Interview with Jack Reis, President of Crimson & Gold Collective

What is the NIL Crimson & Gold Collective?
The Crimson & Gold Collective provides name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities to student-athletes at the University of Denver. Our mission is to provide these athletes with opportunities to earn money for who they are and what they do. We also provide education, legal aid, and marketing and branding services. All of our work is funded through endorsements and individual donations. Currently, our focus centers on the men’s basketball program. The Collective is not affiliated with the University of Denver or the Denver coaching staff. Continue reading Interview with Jack Reis, President of Crimson & Gold Collective

Basketball Transfer Portal Shaping Mid-Majors’ 2023-24 Plans

Basketball transfers are coming to a portal near you.

The 60-day window is open (March 13-May 11) for prospective transfers to hop in the portal to examine their options. The one-time transfer rule is still intact this season. If a player has not transferred before, they are immediately eligible. Of course, a team may release a player to play immediately rather than sit out a year of play. Continue reading Basketball Transfer Portal Shaping Mid-Majors’ 2023-24 Plans

DU Remains In ‘Never Gone Dancing’ Club

Oh, well.

Some of us are still recovering from a weekend bender of couch surfing while watching March Madness…but yet again did so without watching the Denver Pioneers. We wait yet another year simmering in the juices of the Never Made it to the Tournament Club. We are not waiting for One Shining Moment, just a moment. Watching Farleigh Dickenson University (FDU) and Princeton win their first-round (and second-round in the latter’s case) games only makes the milestone more painful. Continue reading DU Remains In ‘Never Gone Dancing’ Club

Denver Recruit Named to Illinois AP All-State Basketball First Team

Incoming Denver basketball recruit DeAndre Craig was awarded Associated Press All-State Basketball 3A First Team honors in his home state of Illinois.  Craig was also named to the 2023 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Basketball Team  – his second such award. He spearheaded the Mount Carmel Caravan, averaging 18 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals while leading his school to a 27-6 record heading into the Class 3A sectional final. Continue reading Denver Recruit Named to Illinois AP All-State Basketball First Team

Shorthanded Denver Falls to North Dakota, 83-68

Denver (15-17, 6-13) lost guard Tevin Smith before the game due to a wrist injury and the short-handed Pioneer bench went scoreless in an 83-68 loss at the Summit League Tournament. The Fighting Hawks canned nine of eighteen 3-point shots (13-36 for the game) in the second half and punished the exhausted Pioneers.  The loss ends DU’s season. Continue reading Shorthanded Denver Falls to North Dakota, 83-68

How Does Denver Men’s Hoops Win in Sioux Falls?

No doubt, it’s been an up-and-down season for DU men’s hoops (15-16, 6-12). The team started 8-1 in nonconference play but fell to 6-12 in the Summit League. Still, a solid four-game improvement by Coach Jeff Wulbrun with at least one more game to play. With that in mind, what does the team need to do to get a win in their first-round tilt against North Dakota at the Summit League Tournament tonight (5 pm MT)? Then, if Denver wins, how can the Pioneers be reasonably competitive against Oral Roberts which is undefeated in conference play? Continue reading How Does Denver Men’s Hoops Win in Sioux Falls?

Denver Men’s Hoops Drops Omaha, Finishes with a Flourish, 72-61

In a season of ups and down, DU men’s hoops (15-16, 6-12) finished their regular season in style on Senior Night (afternoon) against the Omaha Mavericks (8-22, 4-14). DU raced out to a first-half lead, 32-18, on hot shooting while the Mavs were ice cold. Despite 19 turnovers for the game, Denver rarely allowed Omaha to cut the lead below double digits. With the win, Denver improved four games over their 2022 campaign heading into the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While it would be easy to wish for more wins this season, progress continues as DU men’s basketball had their best record since 2017-2018. Continue reading Denver Men’s Hoops Drops Omaha, Finishes with a Flourish, 72-61