(Assuming hockey and hoops start with conference games only in January).
Continue reading Top 10 Things We Won’t Miss with Fall Athletics Postponed
While the Power 5 conferences (PAC-12, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, ACC) remain steadfast in fall sports, many other smaller conferences have decided to cancel, postpone or push their fall sports into the winter or spring. If DU was to make such a move, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball would be the most impacted by such a move. Continue reading Fall Sports Beginning to Feel Effects of COVID Cancellation/Postponement
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
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
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
Over the past month, the DU men’s basketball team has lost two members and added another two. DU sophomore Joseph Lanzi and freshman Owen McGlashan have entered the NCAA transfer portal. Denver followed these departures by adding freshmen Omar Rowe and flex guard/wing Drake Muller. Rowe and Muller join Sam Hines, Jr., a small forward, as DU’s freshman triad next season. It is worth noting with over 700 players entering the transfer portal each season so losing 1-2 players is not unexpected. Continue reading Denver Men’s Basketball Adds Youth to Bolster Perimeter
The Air Force Academy has hired former DU coach Joe Scott (2007-2016) as the Academy’s next head basketball coach. After stints as an assistant coach at Holy Cross and Georgia, Scott returns to lead Air Force basketball for a second time, after head coaching there from 1999-2004. Continue reading Joe Scott Returns to Colorado for Second Stint with Air Force
The last two days have felt like a decade. Every five minutes, the news cycle delivered a new body blow and the bad news flowed flowing like the dang Colorado River. On Wednesday afternoon, the NCAA delivered the news that fans would not be permitted to attend any winter sports championships including March Madness and the NCAA Hockey Tournament. This news, of course, was followed up by the NBA suspending its season Wednesday night after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus, better known to some as COVID-19. And that was just Wednesday. Continue reading And now, some good news: spring athletes to be granted extra year of eligibility, per reports
We get it, Reflecting on the 2019-2020 Campaign and the Future, Part 1 did seem like doom and gloom. But we have the six reasons/actions why DU can be in the hunt for a Summit League title as early as next season. So, here is how DU threads the needle next year: Continue reading Reflecting on the 2020-2021 Campaign and the Future, Part 2
The basketball season is abruptly over yet again for Denver. The Pioneers see an early exit from tournament play. This season’s 8th place regular-season finish in the Summit League follows a 9th place finish the season before.
Many fans could care less about DU hoops while others are frustrated or just turned-off. Still a precious few remain cautiously optimistic.
We remain skeptical. Denver basketball must thread the eye of a needle if they expect to turn things around next season – and we’ll tell you why. It can be done but it won’t be easy.
Continue reading Reflecting on Denver’s 2019-2020 Campaign and the Future, Part 1
