With the final touches completed on the Pioneer roster thanks to the addition of incoming freshman Ade Murkey out of Minnesota, it’s time to take a look at how the 2016-2017 squad might look when they hit the floor next season. Continue reading Pieces Coming Together For Pioneer Hoops
Tag Archives: Basketball
Denver Hoops’ Pick is Murkey
Photo: Courtesy of the St. Croix Lutheran Yearbook. Ade Murkey goes up for two.
Rodney Billups has landed his first recruit as head coach of the Denver Pioneers. The new recruit joins Luke Neff and Jake Krafka – both recruited prior to his arrival. Continue reading Denver Hoops’ Pick is Murkey
Not So Fast, Denver Basketball
Photo credit: DU Basketball
Optimism reigns at Magness. They are now the up-tempo Pioneers. Sioux Falls, once hated as an unfair league playoff site, is now seen as a place where DU basketball will make history – maybe even next year!
DU will be different next season. Continue reading Not So Fast, Denver Basketball
Basketball Dinner Celebrates the Past and Eyes the Future
Photo: Freshman Joe Rosga (center) receives the Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award with Assistant Coach Dan Ficke and Dan Van Ackerson, Senior Associate Athletic Director.
The Senior Recognition Dinner for the University of Denver basketball team was held Tuesday night. With the voice of the Pioneers, Raj Sharan as master of ceremonies, the evening featured brief speeches by AD Peg-Bradley Doppes and new head Coach Rodney Billups. Continue reading Basketball Dinner Celebrates the Past and Eyes the Future
Conference Basketball Coaching Change Could be Game Changer
He’s a new head coach. He was an assistant coach for a power 5 program and he was a good recruiter. Sound like Rodney Billups? I’m talking about the new coach of South Dakota State University – TJ Otzelberger. Continue reading Conference Basketball Coaching Change Could be Game Changer
How could CU Basketball Transfers Impact DU?
It’s no surprise that DU needs a big man. DU currently has only one available scholarship for the 2016-2017 season.
As the recruiting coordinator for CU basketball, Rodney Billups broadsided DU’s plans by landing a Pioneer target, 7’0″ Dallas Walton from Arvada West. Walton made a verbal commitment to CU shortly before Billups accepted the DU head coaching role. Continue reading How could CU Basketball Transfers Impact DU?
Part 2: Putting Denver Hoops on the Map
He is young, handsome, smart, a Denver native, and an alum. Rodney Billups is starting his run as head coach with a hand full of aces – so he can push the boundaries.
When it comes to men’s basketball, what does the University of Denver have? A middling basketball program in a middling conference (Summit League) at an excellent university and very good facilities in an extraordinary city. Some contend that there is a low level of interest in college basketball in Denver while others argue that there is pent-up demand for a strong college basketball program. DU has no regular history of excellence in basketball. If you follow online student forums, DU is seen as an elite snobby university by many urban students and community members who see DU as aspiring to be ‘ivy league’, a rich kid school, and stocked by white suburban kids. Continue reading Part 2: Putting Denver Hoops on the Map
What DU Can Learn from Lumberjacks, Crusaders, & Bulldogs
Photo Credit: Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports
When watching the first weekend of March Madness, one couldn’t help but see other basketball programs that might offer the University of Denver men’s basketball program some hope. Here are three teams that caught my interest and how their performances may provide DU with a roadmap for future success. Continue reading What DU Can Learn from Lumberjacks, Crusaders, & Bulldogs
LetsGoDU Rooting for Omaha in CBI
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
Puck Swami: Billups Hire Bigger Than Winning Basketball
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