News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) Things are returning to normal in PioNation.  DU in first place and Colorado College in last place

The University of Denver Men's Soccer team qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third time since 2008, after defeating Western Illinois 1-0 in the Summit League Championship Game on Sunday.

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The DU Men's basketball team held a lead at halftime but eventually fell to Stanford 66-57 at Magness Arena on Sunday. Chris Udofa scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds for the Pioneers.

Video: DU Hoops vs. Stanford On Sunday Afternoon

Looks Like Boone is ready

Sunday @ Noon

DU Hoops vs Stanford

Magness Arena

Boone Supports DU Hoops Team At Fan Jam

(above) Boone and Coach Scott discuss the Princeton Offense last night at Magness Arena

(above) Boone attended DU's Fan Jam festivities last night at Magness Arena

Attendance was a little light last night at DU's Fan Jam which was billed as a "Kickoff to Homecoming Weekend."  However the fans, students and alumni who did attended were treated to free food and the obligatory Boone sighting.

Chancellor Coombe was spotted in attendance and he must have been thinking, "If we'd just added the Elk Mascot this summer we could of doubled the number of mascots in attendance."

DU Mens & Womens Hoops Kick Off Fan Jam

DU Alum Phil Heath Wins Mr Olympia Again

University of Denver basketball player Phil Heath won his third Mr. Olympia title on Saturday evening in what would be one the greatest Mr. Olympia competitions in the history of the sport.

The 49th edition of the contest had three Mr. Olympia winners on the stage competing against each other for the coveted prize (Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson and Jay Cutler). In the end Phil Heath walked away with the Sandow trophy and a cheque for $250,000. Phil accepted his award with a tribute to his wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

#11 UCLA Defeats DU Volleyball In Close Matches

(above) Boone and several members of DU's basketball team watch the volleyball action against UCLA on Thursday night

Full Game Report

The University of Denver volleyball team pushed #11 UCLA all evening long, but came up on the short end of a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) decision on Thursday night in the opening match of the 2013 Denver Invitational.

The loss marked the Pioneers’ second straight following a three-match winning streak and dropped their overall mark to 5-3. UCLA improved its season record to 6-1 with the victory.

DU's Chis Udofia: NCAA's Most Underrated Player

From: Bleacher Report

by Scott Henry

With nearly 4,500 players in college basketball, they can't all be stars. Whether they toil in the shadow of more lauded teammates, play in minor conferences or simply on losing teams, there may be reasons their names aren't widely known. That still doesn't make it fair, however.

1.)  CHRIS UDOFIA - The Denver Pioneers can be brutal to watch if you want players to run. Coach Joe Scott's offense was the second-slowest in America last season according to Ken Pomeroy. 

Still, DU had the talent to threaten for an NCAA berth, and team leader Chris Udofia is the prime example. 

At only 6'6" and 200 pounds, Udofia is still one of the nation's most feared shot-blocking threats. A career two-BPG player, Udofia had only one game with no swats last season. His 9.0 block percentage ranked 64th nationally. Oh, and he swiped 1.6 steals per game last year, too. 

On the offensive end, Udofia led the Pioneers in scoring and should see a bigger share of the chances with top wingman Royce O'Neale transferring to Baylor. Udofia's been a steady 50-percent shooter throughout his career and is an improving three-point presence, but will need greater consistency at the foul line. 

 Denver's deliberate style will make it difficult for any player to put up gaudy offensive numbers, but Udofia will get his scores by being one of the nation's top defensive playmakers. As he told the Denver Post last January, "Different years, you have different jobs. We have a good bunch of players and no one has to do it all." 

Without O'Neale, Udofia will have to do a bit more, but in a new conference—the Nate Wolters-less Summit League—Denver will still have the horses to contend for its first-ever NCAA bid.

Royce O'Neale Transferring To Baylor

From: NBC Sports.com

by Rob Dauster

Details On Transfer

Baylor has lost a pair of guards to transfer in the last couple of weeks, but the Bears may have found a way to fill that void.

Royce O’Neale is expected to commit to the Bears today, according to a report from Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. O’Neale is a 6-foot-5 wing from Killeen, TX, that averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 boards and 3.5 assists for a good Denver team last season. O’Neale’s grandfather is sick and he’s transferring home to be closer to him, and O’Neale is expected to apply for a waiver to gain immediate eligibility. 

O’Neale isn’t the only wing that Baylor has added recently, as they also signed top 100 recruit Al Freeman after Freeman backed out of his commitment to UCLA.

DU Star Hoopster Royce O'Neale Leaving DU

Royce O'Neale

From: NBCSports.com

by  Raphielle Johnson

The University of Denver is moving to the Summit League, and they may have to do so without two of those key contributors. On Friday the school announced that Royce O’Neale’s request to be released from his scholarship has been granted.

O’Neale, a native of Kileen, Texas, made the request due to the health of his grandfather, according to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com.

“Royce has a personal situation at home in Killeen, Texas,” head coach Joe Scott said in a statement released by the school. “He has requested a release to explore schools that would place him in close proximity to his family. We are understanding and supportive, and therefore have granted Royce a release to those schools.

“As we do this, we are and have been working on a plan for him to stay at the University of Denver while also meeting and supporting his family needs. We are exploring all options to help him.”

If they’re able to work out something to where O’Neale is able to take care of the situation and remain at Denver, the Pioneers would be in position to be one of the preseason favorites to win the Summit League crown.

As a sophomore the 6-5 O’Neale averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, leading the Pioneers in both rebounding and assists, earning third-team All-WAC honors.

DU Receivs A Big Time Hoops Commitment

(above) Duke Douglas will play for DU next season

From: NOLA.com

by Andrew Lopez

Newman School [New Orleans private school famous for alum Peyton Manning] forward Duke Douglas, The Times-Picayune Small Schools Player of the Year, has committed to play at the University of Denver, the 6-foot-5 forward said on Saturday. 

Douglas averaged 21.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in leading the Greenies to the top overall seed in the Class 2A playoffs and was also named to the Class 2A All-State first team.

"It feels great," Douglas said. "I've put in a lot of hard work since my freshman year and its good to see that work finally paying off." 

 Douglas traveled to Denver on Thursday evening and officially received his offer on Saturday morning. He committed then before flying back to New Orleans. Denver finished last season 22-10 and shared the Western Athletic Conference regular season championship with Louisiana Tech [read entire article].

N.I.T.: Maryland 62 - Denver 52 FINAL

(above) DU student Adam Hammerman and his family were supporting the Pioneers in Maryland yesterday

From: Washington Times

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland used a small lineup to mount a big comeback in a 62-52 victory over Denver on Thursday night in the second round of the NIT.

Dez Wells scored 19 points for the Terrapins, who closed with a 23-4 run after trailing 48-39 with 9:15 left.

“Our kids battled. We didn’t want the season to end,” coach Mark Turgeon said. “Our big lineup couldn’t guard them so we went small. We went five guards.”

Wells fueled the surge with nine points. It was the sixth game in 12 days for the Terrapins (24-12), who won’t play again until next week against either Alabama or Stanford.

“We’re gassed,” Turgeon said. “Our guys just had guts. That’s a really good win for us after what we’ve been through.”

Chris Udofia scored 24 for the Pioneers (22-10), including 19 during a first half that featured three ties and 12 lead changes. But he got his third foul with 17:55 left and fourth with 8:37 to go.

“Obviously, foul trouble on Udofia was a key factor for us,” Pioneers coach Joe Scott said. “But they made the plays they had to make, they made the foul shots, and we didn’t.”

Seeking its 12th win in 13 games, Denver appeared poised for an upset as the second half wore on. It was 33-all before Marcus Byrd drilled a 3-pointer to spark a 15-6 spree that included a three-point play and a 3-pointer by Brett Olsen.

And then Maryland began its comeback with 7-foot-1 Alex Len and 6-8 James Padgett on the bench.

“We were desperate,” Turgeon said. “We couldn’t guard them. They had complete control of the game and our post guys couldn’t score against them. So we tried to spread them out, try to drive on them and get to the foul line.”

Maryland used five straight free throws to launch the decisive run. A runner by Seth Allen put the Terrapins up 51-50 with 4:09 remaining, the first time they led after halftime.

Turgeon was pressed to remember the last time he used a lineup of five guards for that long.

“I coached a JV team at Kansas where my power forward was 6-2 and sometimes he played center,” Turgeon said. “I’m sure we did it there.”

Despite the loss, Scott believed his team benefited from its two-game run in the NIT.

“The future is bright,” he said, “and this type of experience is the thing that can get you going in the direction you want to go.”

Denver Post: DU Faces Maryland Today In N.I.T.

(above) DU faces Maryland today at 5 PM MT on ESPN-U

From: Denver Post
by Irv Moss

After winning for the first time ever in NCAA Division I postseason play, the Denver Pioneers could move into uncharted water again Thursday at Maryland in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. Game time is 5 p.m. MDT and is on ESPNU.

The Pioneers (22-9) have played in three NIT's, but the 61-57 victory Tuesday night over Ohio University at Magness Arena was their first victory. Now if they beat the Terrapins (23-12), it will set a school men's basketball record of 23 victories in a season [read entire article].

N.I.T.: Denver 61 - Ohio University 57 FINAL

(above) DU wins its first N.I.T. game on Tuesday night

(above) Click on boxscore to enlarge

Denver Post Game Recap

Mile High Sports Game Recap

Blogger Picks DU To Win Region

Mile High Mids Recap & Photo

The University of Denver basketball team overcame a seven-point second half deficit to win its first ever N.I.T. postseason game at Magness Arena on Tuesday night.  The Pioneers came away with a 61-57 victory over Ohio University. 

DU will travel to College Park, Maryland on Thursday to play the University of Maryland of the ACC.

DU Kicks Off NIT Tonight Against Ohio In Magness

(above) Chris Udofia Leads DU against Ohio tonight

$5 Tickets For Tonight's NIT Game

The #3-seeded University of Denver men's basketball team will host #6-seeded Ohio University in the National Invitation Tournament First Round at Magness Arena on Tuesday at 7:15 PM MT. The game will air live on ESPN3.com.
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DU men's basketball season ticket holders can call 303-871-HOOP. The winner of Tuesday's game will advance to face the winner of #2 Maryland (22-12) and #7 Niagara (19-13).

DU Discounts N.I.T. Tickets To $5 Each

University of Denver Press Release

 POST SEASON IN MAGNESS ARENA

DENVER MEN’S BASKETBALL 

TIP-OFF TUESDAY NIGHT

Denver Post Game Preview

NIT TICKETS ONLY $5 with PROMO CODE – DUNIT at www.denverpioneers.com/tickets. ($2 per order fee apply)

Denver will host the National Invitational Tournament 1st Round in Magness Arena on Tuesday night.  Tip-off scheduled for 7:15pm (doors at 6:15pm).  #3 Denver Pioneers will host #6 Ohio University.  

EXPERIENCE Post Season Division I Basketball with the Denver Pioneers…create a home court advantage! Reserve your seats NOW!

NIT BRACKET: DU Receives NIT Basketball Bid

(above) Click on image to enlarge

Boone Photo Shoot On The Las Vegas Strip

(above) Boone took a stroll on the Las Vegas Strip on Friday night

Las Vegas Strip Photo Shoot

Friday night in Las Vegas was supposed to include the University of Denver men's basketball game against New Mexico State.  Alas even the best laid plans can go horribly wrong.  So Boone went for a walk on the Las Vegas Strip and met many people from Colorado who recognized him immediately.

WAC Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket

(above) All times listed are Pacific Time Zone

KenPom Lists DU As Favorites In WAC Tourney

Royce White

From: KenPom.com 

All-kenpom: Chris Udofia, Denver (kPOY); Royce O’Neal, Denver; Daniel Mullings, New Mexico State; Chase Hallam, Denver; Kyle Barone, Idaho.

It’s been a disappointing season for Joe Scott in one sense. The five-time coach of the slowest team in basketball has now gone two consecutive seasons without capturing that honor. This season it appears Jim Molinari’s Western Illinois squad is going to beat out Denver for the slowpoke crown. In other respects, it’s been a very good season for Joe Scott. His team has shredded most of its WAC opponents, and the Pioneers’ most recent win was a 78-54 humiliation of conference-leader Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs along with New Mexico State are legitimate threats here, but DU has to be considered the favorite.

Daylight Savings Starts Today

 Reminder: 11 AM Hockey Start Time On Sunday

Congrats DU Ski Team --- 4th At NCAA Championships

Congrats DU Basketball --- WAC Regular Season Co-Champions

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