Photo: Worlds Biggest Ball of Stamps, Roadside America
Are you making the 550 mile trek to Omaha, Nebraska for the hockey games between the Denver Pioneers and the University Nebraska – Omaha Mavericks this upcoming weekend? This destination offers a plethora of cultural and educational sites for visitors to the “Gateway to the West”, Omaha’s formal nickname. Others may know this city by its more informal nickname, “Rest Stop on I-80”. Continue reading Omaha Culture Captures the Imagination
According to NCAA statistics, DU is rated 325th out of 346 teams with a -7 rebound differential versus their opponents. This deficit has become more pronounced over the last four games, all losses, as the rebounding differential has swollen to -12.75.
The Pioneers do not not need to win the rebound battle. However, they need to keep it close. The difference can be overcome by improved shot selection, reduced turnovers, superior free throw percentage and steals. Continue reading Rebounding Differential Spells Trouble
The Pioneers (8-7) ventured to lovely Fargo, North Dakota to face the 11-4 Bison. North Dakota State, predicted to finish second in the Summit League, were undefeated at home and led by Paul Miller (16.5 ppg.) and A.J. Jacobson (14.1 ppg.).
Like the botched kidnapping and ransom in the actual movie Fargo, DU’s matinee unraveled into an ugly mess as the Bison coasted to a 75-49 victory. Continue reading Pioneer Hoops Taken to the Wood Chipper in Fargo
For the second night in a row, Notre Dame Fighting Irish goalie Cal Petersen was on the top of his game. The University of Denver Pioneers sent 45 shots at him, but Petersen only allowed 2 pucks to get past him in 65 minutes of NCAA regulation play. Continue reading Petersen Frustrates the Pioneers, Forces Another Denver Tie
DU men’s basketball traveled to Brookings, SD to play the 42nd ranked (NCAA RPI) South Dakota State Jackrabbits on a New Years day tilt. The Jackrabbits entered the contest 11-3 as the Summit League favorite with five players averaging double figures. They were led by three seniors – Diondre Parks (17.6 ppg.), George Marshall (12.9 ppg.), Jake Bittle (11.4) ppg. joined by underclassmen Mike Daum (11.7 ppg.), Reed Tellinghuisen (10.0 ppg.). DU held South Dakota State to their third worst scoring contest of the season, holding these Jackrabbit scorers in check, but a glut of Pioneer turnovers determined the final outcome. Continue reading Turnovers Sink New Year Effort, 68-59
Ties aren’t always like kissing your sister. The University of Denver Pioneers skated to a 1-1 tie with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Magness Arena on Friday night. Denver ended the night with 57 shots on goal, but could only muster one fluky goal in the 3rd period.
The evening began with a lot of back and forth play by both teams. After about the 7 minute mark of the first period, DU started to take control of the game. The Pioneers were sustaining their offensive pressure, forechecking very well, and just weren’t letting Notre Dame do anything at all. Continue reading Denver Dominates Irish in Thrilling Tie
While DU fans are rightfully proud of Magness Arena, the reality is that some of DU’s facilities haven fallen behind peers. Many of the locker rooms at Ritchie Center were redone with insurance monies as a result of flooding over the summer. Others, such as men’s lacrosse, were expanded to accommodate the basic needs of a growing program that weren’t being met with the older facilities. Continue reading Top-Tier Locker Room Needed for Premier Hockey Program
DU finished the second quarter of their basketball season, 3-3. All six games were against non-conference opponents. During that stretch, DU averaged 63 points per game while their opponents scored 65.4, a -2.4 margin. Continue reading 2Q Hoops Report Card Shows Hope & Concern
7-7-2. That is not supposed to be the record of this year’s Pioneer hockey team at the break. They are loaded at forward, came into the season with two solid goaltenders, and promised to play all 200 feet of the ice – playing relentless Pioneer Hockey. Continue reading Looking for Hope Only Requires a Short Memory
While the Summit League my be a free-for-all this year, no team has a tougher opening stretch than the Pioneers. DU will get the Summit League preseason poll 1-2-3-4 punch in the first nine days of January. The first two games are on the road, Brookings & Fargo, and the next two games are in Denver. A 2-2 split would be an excellent start to league play. Anything better than that and the Pioneers would have to be considered the biggest league surprise. All in nine days. It won’t take long to get a sense of how well DU matches up against the league’s best.
Summit League Men’s Basketball
2015-16 PRESEASON POLL
1. South Dakota State (January 1, 2016 – Brookings, S.D.)
2. North Dakota State (January 3, 2016 – Fargo, N.D.)
3. Oral Roberts (January 6, 2016 – Denver, Colorado)
4. Fort Wayne (January 9, 2016 – Denver, Colorado)
LetsGoDU wishes hoops a great start to the new year.
