DU Hoops Jumps Into ESPN's Mid-Major Rankings

(above) DU is #7 in ESPN's Mid-Major Power Rankings
DU vs. Iona
Wednesday @ 7 PM
TV: Root Sports & FCS-Central

From: SB Nation
by Russ Oates

The Denver Pioneers basketball team is quietly make a name for itself this season, its final as a member of the Sun Belt. The Pioneers have started the 2011-2012 season with a 6-1 record that includes wins over the St. Mary's Gaels, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and, most recently, the Utah State Aggies, which ended the school's 33-game home winning streak. DU's one loss came against a then No. 18 California Golden Bears.

While no voters have yet to give a vote to the Pioneers in either the AP or Coaches polls, ESPN's Mid-Major Power 15 poll does have the Pioneers at No. 7. They can certainly move up in next week's edition if they can beat the Iona Gaels on Wednesday. Iona is ranked No. 6 in this week's poll.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Big game tonight for DU. Hope the Pios can get it done against an Iona team that avergages 92 points per game (top offense in the country)and blew out Maryland by 26points. It's a tall order, but if DU plays to it's capabilities, we have shot at beating them,

du78 said...

Game is also on FCS Central.

BooneDogg said...

Be sure to check out the fantastic preview on the Mile High Mids blog.

http://milehighmids.tumblr.com/

Anonymous said...

Pios lose a heartbreaker, 80-78 on with 1.6 seconds left in overtime shot by Iona. Pios led about 95% of the game, but not at the end. Iona had the number one offense in the country averaging 92 points per game, but DU held them to 80.

Good game, good fan turnout.

Anonymous said...

Really a wasted opportunity. Finally some buzz around the program, and they couldn't hang on to a 13 point 2nd half lead to get a real signature win. Good effort, but it was frustrating to see the team lose a bit of composure down the stretch--turnovers, some missed free throws, stepping out of bounds. And why didn't Scott call timeout before the last possession in regulation? Wouldn't that have given us the ball at half court?

Anonymous said...

DU was out of timeouts - they had to burn a couple to avoid 5 second violations.

Sure, it was a frustrating loss for DU, but those are the things you need to learn to become a top level program.

Scott left two freshmen on the court late in the game because he needs these guys to learn pressure situations before the league season begins.

I have to think that this game will be an important learning experience for the Pios.