Photo: cuindependent.com
Following the Colorado Buffaloes’ first-round NCAA exit yesterday against UConn, Rodney Billups thoughts must have shifted to his to his new team. In particular, what is his roster going to look like? Continue reading Big Roster Decisions for DU Hoops
Photo: Senior Devin Patterson by Omaha.com
Root for the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks? Yes, it’s true, we are rooting for them to have a good run in the CBI (College Basketball Invitational). They start Wednesday evening in Pittsburgh against Duquesne. Continue reading LetsGoDU Rooting for Omaha in CBI
DU Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes (left) has hired Rodney Billups (right) as DU’s new head men’s basketball coach. Photo credit: University of Denver Athletics
As the University of Denver introduced former Pioneer point guard Rodney Billups as its new head basketball coach this week, there were a lot of happy faces in the Ritchie Center for the press conference. Continue reading Puck Swami: Billups Hire Bigger Than Winning Basketball
Following introductions by Ryan Peck – Sr. Associate AD for Development, Athletics Vice Chancellor Peg Bradley-Doppes and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Doug Scrivner, a youthful Rodney Billups addressed family, friends, alums, university staff and media. Billups proudly stated, “I’m a Pioneer. I’ve always been a Pioneer & it feels great to be back.”
Drawing on his experiences playing for DU and his six years at CU working for top-flight coach Tad Boyle, Billups is going to be bringing an “up-tempo style” to University and Evans. While DU is certain to look different on the floor, he emphasized the need for hard work by team members and commitment to each other. Many of the players that were in town attended the press conference and seemed particularly receptive to their new coach. He met with the team and coaches prior to the press conference. Absent were C.J. Bobbitt and Joe Rosga who were presumably on spring break and out of town. Continue reading Billups Introduced as DU’s New Basketball Coach
Photo Credit: Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera
As reported earlier on Friday and later confirmed by a source close to the program, Rodney Billups, Denver basketball alumnus (2002-2005) and younger brother of NBA legend Chauncey Billups, will be the next head coach of the University of Denver basketball program. This news comes on the heels of the altogether surprising announcement that the program had parted ways with 9 year head coach, Joe Scott. Continue reading Rodney Billups To Be Introduced as Next DU Basketball Head Coach
DU Graduate Rodney Billups (’05) is the next head hoops coach at DU, according to ESPN
Puck Swami is the Internet moniker of a longtime DU fan and alumnus. He shares his views periodically with LetsGoDU.
Like many DU fans, I was surprised, but not shocked, at today’s news that nine-year head DU head basketball coach Joe Scott had been fired with two years remaining on his contract, and that DU grad / CU assistant coach Rodney Billups will likely be the next head coach at DU, according to reports from ESPN. Continue reading Puck Swami’s Rapid Reaction: Scott Out and Billups In
After nine seasons as head basketball coach at the University of Denver, Joe Scott has been fired, according to a statement released to the press this afternoon.
“We’d like to thank Joe for his years of service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” DU Athletic Director Peg Bradley-Doppes said. “At this juncture we feel the time is right to make a change in the direction of the program and we look forward to entering a new, exciting era for the program with a dynamic new head coach at the helm.”
Scott was originally hired by DU in March of 2007 and amassed a record of 146-132 during his nine years at the helm of the men’s basketball program. The Pioneers’ 2015-16 season came to an end on Monday March 7, with a 54-53 loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament Semifinals in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Joe Scott issued this statement after being fired:
Scott’s nine years at DU dug the program out of the bottom of Division I, rose to a WAC title and and an NIT win in 2013, but since then, the program suffered some down years, recruiting issues, transfers and falling attendance.
Expect more coverage here as the story develops.
After this year’s exciting, if a bit heartbreaking, semifinal game against South Dakota State and the dismantling of Omaha and North Dakota State in the prior two games, DU is still the same team that lost to cellar-dwelling Western Illinois in Denver on February 11th. While Denver did show dramatic improvement near the end of this season, that progress must continue if DU is going to travel to Sioux Falls next year and have more success on a “not exactly neutral” court.
Continue reading Hoops 2016-2017: Does Denver Have What it Takes?
Denver lost on a missed foul shot by super freshman Joe Rosga with virtually no time left on the clock to end a great effort, 53-54, at the Summit League Semifinals. Rosga was tripped earlier in the waning seconds but it was a ‘non-foul’, allowing the Jackrabbits to take the lead and win the contest by the narrowest of margins. Continue reading Pioneers Scorch Jackrabbits in Second Half Tear but Come Up Short 53-54
