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→
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:
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.
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.
If you missed the University of Denver Men’s Basketball team’s Summit League Semi-Final against South Dakota State last night, DU lost on a missed free throw by Joe Rosga with barely a second left in the game. It was a heartbreaking finish to a game that the Pioneers probably should have won.
This season, the University of Denver Pioneers (16-14) are 0-2 against the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits (24-7). But tonight’s semifinal game is not the mismatch it appears to be on paper.
DU started their conference season in Brookings, South Dakota on January 1st, dropping a 68-59 decision. South Dakota State killed DU on the offensive boards 12-2 and led for 32 minutes 26 seconds, using big scoring runs to pull away. Denver was led by Marcus Byrd (16 points), Joe Rosga (12 points), and Nate Engesser (11 points). SDSU had balanced scoring with 5 players in double digits. SDSU had 11 turnovers to 19 for the Pioneers. Denver trailed in rebounds 22-29 (-7). Continue reading Summit League Semi-Final Preview – DU vs. SDSU→
Puck Swami is the internet moniker of a long-time DU fan and alumnus. He shares his views periodically with LetsGoDU.
As I look back on the 2015-2106 DU basketball season, the operative phrase, at least for me, is “pleasant surprise.”
At 15-14, the Pioneers achieved a winning record and sixth-place finish in the regular season where the cognoscenti predicted a last-place (eighth place) finish for DU in the Summit League. It was a return to respectability with a very young, resilient team overachieving after last year’s 12-18 disappointment with a veteran lineup. Continue reading Puck Swami: DU Men’s Basketball Regular Season Review→
Following a 12-18 season in 2014-15, the Pioneers were loaded with freshmen (a stunning nine total on the game & practice rosters) and an uncertain future heading into this season. There was every reason to believe the Pioneers were headed for consecutive losing seasons – but they defied the odds with senior leadership, a solid incoming freshmen class, the development of existing players, liberal substitutions and a deep bench. A variety of different players stepped up at different times to finish out this regular season with a winning record, 15-14. Continue reading LetsGoDU Men’s Basketball Regular Season Awards→
LetsGoDU predicted 11 wins for the 2015-16 DU men’s hoops (14-14) squad based on their schedule, roster turnover, inexperience, and a host of unknowns regarding this year’s squad.
Puck Swami challenged DU to put on Big Events in his article Think Big, Denver . So we have put together the LetsGoDU Big Event Super Survey. In the survey, we provide a Big Event concept and venue. Of course, we know that it takes years to work out schedules and plan such events, but we wanted to paint a picture of what it would take to create such an event that would draw local and regional interest.
Vote for your favorite option and feel free to comment with any other ideas you might have.
The LetsGoDU Big Event Super Survey ends Wednesday, March 2nd.
DU finished the third quarter of their basketball season last night, 3-5. All eight games were against Summit Conference opponents. During that stretch, DU averaged 62.3 points per game while their opponents scored 68.6, a -6.3 margin.
Quarter 3 Evaluation Period: Period: South Dakota State through South Dakota
