Category Archives: Men’s Sports

Men's Basketball, Men's Sports

Billups Introduced as DU’s New Basketball Coach

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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 →

Men's Lacrosse, Men's Sports

DU Stings Notre Dame in OT 9-8

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“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
The hands can’t hit
What the eye’s can’t see.” – Muhammed Ali

In another game for the ages, #2 ranked University of Denver knocked out #1 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana in sudden death overtime. Zach Miller, DU’s overtime heavyweight, threw the decisive punch into the net to end the contest.

Miller has done this before to Notre Dame. He is so smooth with and without the ball – it is easy for opponents to get transfixed or lose track – then, boom, the violent delivery of the ball into the back of the net. Today, it was Notre Dame’s time to feel the sting. Continue reading DU Stings Notre Dame in OT 9-8 →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Denver Clinches Frozen Faceoff Berth in Double Overtime Thriller

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Photo Credit: Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Just less than 9 minutes into the second overtime, freshman Colin Staub wrapped around the net and slid the puck past Nebraska-Omaha’s goalie to punch the University of Denver’s ticket to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff for a 4-3 double overtime victory. Continue reading Denver Clinches Frozen Faceoff Berth in Double Overtime Thriller →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Denver Takes Early Series Lead, Tops Omaha 5-2

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Photo Credit: DU Athletics

In what was always going to be a hard-fought, physical playoff game, the No. 6 University of Denver Pioneers topped the No. 17 University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks by a score of 5-2. After a hotly contested two game sweep over the Mavericks for the Pioneers at Magness Arena a week ago, Denver was able to keep extend its winning streak to 10 while putting UNO in a 1-0 series hole. Continue reading Denver Takes Early Series Lead, Tops Omaha 5-2 →

Men's Basketball, Men's Sports

Rodney Billups To Be Introduced as Next DU Basketball Head Coach

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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 →

Men's Basketball, Men's Sports

Puck Swami’s Rapid Reaction: Scott Out and Billups In

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Billups

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 →

Men's Basketball, Men's Sports

DU Basketball Coach Joe Scott Fired

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DU basketball practice
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 31: DU basketball Joe Scott conducts practice October 31, 2013 as they prepare for the season (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post)

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:

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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.

Hockey, Hockey Mailbags, Men's Sports

DU Hockey Mailbag: It’s NCHC Tournament Time!

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Photo Credit: Sasha Kandrach

I know this week’s mailbag is up late…but it’s finals week and finding time to write this week has been surprisingly difficult. So your patience here is greatly appreciated. I decided to take a break from studying to get this written, so without further excuses ado, let’s get this thing going. Continue reading DU Hockey Mailbag: It’s NCHC Tournament Time! →

Men's Basketball, Men's Sports

Hoops 2016-2017: Does Denver Have What it Takes?

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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? →