Denver men’s basketball seems serious about upgrading their non-conference play in preparation for their first season in the West Coast Conference (WCC). DU’s new hoops conference insists on strength of schedule, and Denver delivered what is almost certainly its toughest non-conference slate in program history. Jayhawks, Badgers, and Buffs, Oh My!
A high-level Canadian Western Hockey League (WHL) player has made his NCAA commitment. Defenseman Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants is headed to Denver in 2026-27 along with his expected first-round NHL draft credentials. The collegiate hockey world was not so much stunned that Denver continued to add to their riches of defensive standouts, but that Denver Hockey appeared to land the top prospect without the immediate guarantee of huge NIL payments. Continue reading Rare Gems: When it’s Not All About The Money→
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. Continue reading Denver Men Can Use Season End as Wake-up Call→
DU Men’s Basketball (15-17, 8-8) faced #3 seed University of North Dakota Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was a dismal first 20 minutes for the Pioneers as they were outshot 46% to the Fighting Hawks 53% from the field. Denver went 2 of 10 from distance while UND nailed 7 of 12 (58%) from downtown. Denver committed an uncharacteristic 9 turnovers. UND delivered 14 points in the paint (38 for the game) in what felt like a bad dream. UND redshirt freshman Greyson Uelmen scored 19 points in the first half, leading the rout. When the smoke cleared, DU trailed 42-29. The game was all but over. Continue reading North Dakota Dispatches DU at Final Summit League Tournament Championship, 83-67→
In a LetsGoDU interview earlier this week, DU men’s basketball head coach Tim Bergstraser discussed the Summit League Basketball Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While the program’s future lies to the West and the West Coast Conference next season, Bergstraser has his attention firmly directed north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and his team’s tournament prospects. Continue reading Tim Bergstraser Discusses DU Men’s Basketball Prospects in Pios’ Final Summit League Tournament→
It’s that time of year again – our annual ‘Never Made The Tournament’ article. Denver started playing hoops in 1904, and surviving a 20-year exile to NAIA and NCAA D-II between 1980 and 1999 (after which DU returned to D-I), the Pios have never made the NCAA D-I Tournament. Every year, we make the case for a DU bid to the “Big Dance,” and every season to this point, they have been denied. Is this year going to be any different, before they join the West Coast Conference gauntlet next season? Everything for Denver hinges on this weekend’s Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls, SD (the WCC Tournament is in Las Vegas, for those who were curious or worried about long-range travel planning). Continue reading Never Made the Tournament: 2025-26 Edition→
Denver men’s basketball (15-16, 8-8) completed their regular season Thursday night against ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was an opportunity to finish the regular season with a winning record and finish +2 in Summit League play and a 7-1 record in their final 8 games to conclude the regular season. Instead, Denver had one of their poorest outings of the season, falling behind by 21 points in the first half and never threatened the Golden Eagles in the humiliating loss. Continue reading ORU Crushes DU in Regular Season Finale, 102-78→
Denver men’s basketball (15-15, 8-7) closed-out the regular season schedule at Hamilton Gym in their last Summit League home game. It was Senior Day, too, with Jeremiah Burke, Logan Kinsey, Zane Nelson, Julius Rollins, Devin Carney, and Josh Lee taking their final bows. St Thomas, sitting in second place in conference was the perfect foil to gauge DU’s readiness for the Sioux Falls conference tournament in several weeks. Respond? Denver certainly did in the 82-80 win. Continue reading Denver Stuns St. Thomas 82-80→
It is hard to believe but Denver men’s basketball (14-15, 7-7) season entered its final two home conference games, starting Thursday night with South Dakota. In a game loaded with fouls, Denver needed to shoot lights out – and they did. Denver shot 47% from the field, 9 of 17 from downtown, and 23 of 25 from the charity stripe to drop the Coyotes. Carson Johnson was lethal down the stretch, finishing with 32 points and 3 assists. Continue reading Denver Dodges Coyotes and Fouls in 90-70 Win Over South Dakota→
Denver men’s basketball (12-14, 5-6) went to Grand Forks, North Dakota Saturday afternoon to face the streaking Fighting Hawks. Fresh off a win against (then) conference undefeated NDSU, the Pioneers looked to put the brakes on the Fighting Hawks six-game winning streak. Three DU players scored 20+ points but it was solid, complimentary defense that aided Denver in the win. DU put together a Dakotas road show, leading the entire game from start to finish. Continue reading Denver Sweeps the Dakotas, Dismantles North Dakota, 98-79→
