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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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.
