Game #9: Denver (6-2) vs. Portland (5-3)

Saturday, December 12, 2009 • 2 p.m. MT

Chiles Center (4,852) • Portland, Ore.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Audio only)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game following an 89-82 victory over 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, DU’s sixth win in the past seven games. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Portland: The Pilots jumped into the Top 25 on Nov. 30, the first time UP had been ranked in 50 years. However, Portland has dropped its last three games, including a 20-point loss at Idaho on Dec. 6. Among their five wins, the Pilots have knocked off No. 16 Minnesota and beat UCLA by 27 points on Thanksgiving night. Portland was predicted by various national publications to compete with Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference title this season, and it was picked second in the WCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Seniors Nik Raivio and T.J. Campbell both were named Preseason All-WCC, and they are leading the Pilots with 15.1 and 15.0 points per game, respectively. Portland returns all five starters and 12 of 13 letterwinners from last year’s team, which finished 19-13 overall and was third in the WCC.  The Pilots also welcome two newcomers to their squad.

The Match-up: Denver holds a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series, but the Pilots won the past three meetings. The Pioneers are 1-4 in Portland, the last of which was in 1997, when DU’s Adam McCanna set the Chiles Center record with eight blocked shots. 

Seeing Double: Five Pioneers scored in double digits in DU’s win over Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, marking the first time Denver had five players with at least 10 points since Feb. 10, 2008.

Back to the 80s: Denver’s 89 points against Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8 were the most by a team coached by Joe Scott. In fact, entering this season Scott-led teams had scored 80 or more points only six times and just once since 2004 (80 - DU vs. Troy on Feb. 7, 2008). The Pioneers have done so three times in the first eight games this season: 80 vs. Wyoming (11/24), 83 at South Dakota State (11/28) and vs. CSU Northridge (12/8). Scott has never lost when his team scored 80 points.

For Starters: The Pioneers’ 6-2 record to open the season is the team’s best since starting 7-0 in 1996-97.

Shooting Stars: Denver shot 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the field against Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8, after which the Pioneers moved into third in the nation with a 52.3 field goal percentage. Only Syracuse (55.7 percent) and Ohio State (52.5) had a higher percentage from the floor. The Pioneers are also ranked 12th in the nation with a 43.8 three-point field goal percentage. Although no DU player qualifies for the minimum in either individual category, Tyler Thalken (71.4), Travis Hallam (63.6), Chase Hallam (62.8), Sabatino Chen (61.1), Rob Lewis (55.0), Nate Rohnert (53.6) and Andrew Hooper (53.3 percent) all are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

O Captain! My Captain!: Nate Rohnert needs just 14 points to reach 1,000 in his career. The senior captain also is seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 284 and sits 17 assists shy of sixth place. Rohnert also has 284 career free throw made, ninth on DU’s all-time list and 10 shy of Dick Brott for seventh, and he is 10th with 400 free throw attempts. The Parker, Colo., native has career totals of 406 rebounds, 278 assists and 97 steals in 96 games at Denver.

Be the Three: Junior forward Andrew Hooper hit his 77th career three- pointer on Tuesday, leaving him just five shy of 10th place on DU’s all-time list. However, teammates Kyle Lewis and Brian Stafford are right on Hooper’s heels with 73 and 72 career three-pointers, respectively. Hooper, who went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc in the last two games, is shooting 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from three-point range this season, increasing his career total to 47.9 percent.

Denver Beats Cal State Northridge, 89-82

Five Pioneers score in double figures, as DU knocks off 2009 NCAA Tournament team

DENVER –Five University of Denver men’s basketball players scored in double digits to lift the Pioneers past Cal State Northridge 89-82 at Magness Arena on Tuesday night.

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) led the Pioneers (6-2) with 17 points, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) went 6-8 from the field and 3-4 from three-point range to set a new career mark at 16 points. Junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) went 2-for-3 from behind the arc to tally 12 points, while junior Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) each scored 11 points. Lewis also led DU with seven rebounds.

DU never trailed, holding the Matadors scoreless for the first 2:58 of the game while going on a 5-0 run. The Pioneers later went on a 15-6 run that helped them to build a 45-35 lead going into halftime.

The Pioneers built a 15-point lead shortly into the second half, but a 10-0 Matadors’ run closed the gap to five with 13:31 remaining.

Denver regained a double digit advantage, but three three-pointers and a three-point play brought the Matadors to within two points 3:36 left in the game.

A deep three-pointer and layup by sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) put the Pioneers up 83-76 and DU carried the momentum for the rest of the game.

“Tonight was a great example of having to find a different way to win,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We didn’t shoot well from the free throw line, but we took care of the ball and brought home a decisive win against a team that was in the NCAA tournament last year. I am proud of our guys and the fact that we are 5-1 at home.”

The Pioneers have not lost at home since the first game of the season against Northern Iowa.

Willie Galick led the Matadors (4-5) with 20 points, and Lenny Daniel had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Next, the Pioneers hit the road to take on Portland on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT, before returning home to face Florida International in their first Sun Belt Conference game of the season on Dec. 17.

Game #8: Denver (5-2) vs. Cal State Northridge (4-4)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 • 7 p.m. MT

Magness Arena (7,200) • Denver, Colo.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Video & Audio)

Ticket Info: Men's basketball season tickets for the 2009-10 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. DU continues its commitment to provide the community with the most affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area. Ticket packages start at $64.
Individual game tickets also are on sale with prices ranging from $9-$15 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card.
For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Tuesday’s game following a 64-59 defeat at Colorado State on Dec. 5, which snapped DU’s five-game winning streak. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Cal State Northridge: The Matadors are 4-4 this season, winning three-straight games before falling 88-76 to No. 10 Washington on Sunday. However, CSUN is 0-3 on the road this season. The Matadors return three starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s team, which won the Big West Conference Tournament and nearly knocked off No. 2-seeded Memphis in the 2009 NCAA Tournament First Round. CSU Northridge was picked third in the Big West preseason poll. Kenny Daniels leads CSUN in scoring at 18.1 points per game, while Lenny Daniel is averaging 10.0 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game. The Matadors are first in the Big West in scoring offense (76.1 ppg), but last in scoring defense (80.8 ppg against), and are second in blocked shots at 3.1 per game.

The Match-up: Cal State Northridge beat Denver 80-53 last season in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

Magness Magic: The Pioneers have won four-straight at home, following a season opening loss to Missouri Valley favorite Northern Iowa. Since Joe Scott took over as head coach prior to the 2007-08 season, the Pioneers are 25-7 (.781) at Magness Arena.

Be the Three: Junior forward Andrew Hooper hit his 75th career three-pointer on Saturday, leaving him just seven shy of 10th place on DU’s all-time list. However, teammates Kyle Lewis and Brian Stafford are right on Hooper's heels with 72 and 71 career three-pointers, respectively. Hooper, who went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc against Colorado State, is shooting 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from three-point range this season, increasing his career total to 47.6 percent.

Shooting Stars: According to the Dec. 6 NCAA national ranking summary, Denver has the fifth ranked field goal percentage in the nation. Only Syracuse (55.7 percent), Ohio State (52.4) and Murray State (52.1) have a higher percentage from the floor than DU’s 51.3 percent. The Pioneers are also ranked 17th in the nation with a 42.2 three-point field goal percentage. Although no DU player qualifies for the minimum in either individual category, Tyler Thalken (71.4), Sabatino Chen (61.5), Chase Hallam (60.0), Rob Lewis (56.3), Travis Hallam (55.6), Andrew Hooper (51.8 percent) and Nate Rohnert (51.6) all are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

O Captain! My Captain!: Senior captain Nate Rohnert earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors last week after combining for 45 points in DU wins against Wyoming and South Dakota State. Rohnert’s 32 points against the Cowboys were the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert has 40 assists, while committing just 10 turnovers this season, giving him a 4.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, ninth among NCAA Division I players and the top ratio in the SBC.

Milestone Watch: Nate Rohnert is seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 274 and sits 27 assists shy of sixth place. Rohnert also has 277 career free throw made, one shy of Alex Sund for ninth on DU’s all-time list, and he is 10th with 390 free throw attempts. The senior captain has career totals of 969 points, 403 rebounds, 274 assists and 97 steals in 95 games at Denver.

Rocky Mountain Way: Eight of Denver’s 15 players hail from Colorado: Sabatino Chen (Louisville), Tom Chott (Littleton), Justin Coughlin (Yuma), Andrew Hooper (Lakewood), Kyle Lewis (Denver), Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs), Trevor Noonan (Broomfield) and Nate Rohnert (Parker).

Scott Signs Dallas Prep: High school senior Chris Udofia signed a National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11 to play for Denver beginning next season. Udofia, a 6-foot-6 forward, earned First Team All-District and District Defensive Player of the Year with Jesuit Prep High School in Dallas, Texas.

Transfer of Power: Sophomore forward Trevor Noonan joined the Pioneers this season after transferring from Air Force. Due to NCAA rules, Noonan will not be eligible to play until next season.

Pioneers Fall to Rams, 64-59

Andrew Hooper scored 11 points, while three other Pioneers had 10 each

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The University of Denver men’s basketball team had four players score in double digits, but Colorado State used free throws down the stretch to take a 64-59 victory over the Pioneers at Moby Arena on Saturday night.

“I like that we put ourselves in position at the end of the game,” head coach Joe Scott said. “I’m disappointed in the outcome and that we did not capitalize after we put ourselves in position to win, but our players can learn from this game.”

Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) led the Pioneers (5-2) with 11 points, while senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.), sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) and sophomore guard Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) had 10 points each. Stafford and Rohnert both added six rebounds and two steals. 

The Pioneers cut the deficit to one point following a Hooper three-pointer with 1:55 remaining in the game, but the Rams (5-3) went 6-for-8 from the free throw line the rest of the way to seal it.

The Rams hit just 3-of-13 field goals in the second half (23.1 percent) and shot 14-for-37 (37.8 percent) in the game, but CSU nailed 32-of-42 free throws (76.2 percent), including 22 in the second half. The Pioneers made 18-of-38 from the field (47.4 percent) but just 16-of-26 from the free throw line (61.5 percent) in the game.

The loss snapped a five-game Pioneers winning streak, and the Rams remain undefeated against DU in Fort Collins since 1979.

Colorado State guard Adam Nigon led all players with 14 points, and Andy Ogide added a dozen.

The Pioneers return home to Magness Arena to take on 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT.

Game #7: Denver (5-1) vs. Colorado State (4-3)

Saturday, December 5, 2009 • 7 p.m. MT

Moby Arena (8,745) • Fort Collins, Colo.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Audio only)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game as the winners of five straight, including a 62-55 win over Lamar on Dec. 2. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team.  

About Colorado State: The Rams are 4-3 this season, beating Mayville State and San Francisco in their two home games and winning a pair of neutral site games to open the season. CSU fell 70-63 at Northern Colorado in its last outing on Tuesday. The Rams return three starters and 10 letterwinners from last year’s team, and were picked eighth in the Mountain West Conference. Freshman Dorian Green leads CSU in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while Andy Ogide (12.9 ppg), Andre McFarland (10.7 ppg) and Travis Franklin (10.1 ppg) all are averaging double figures, as well. The Rams are first in the MWC in three-point defense (25.8 percent), and rank second in three-point field goals (37.9 percent) and field goal defense (37.1 percent).

The Match-up: Colorado State holds a 90-66 advantage in Denver’s longest running rivalry, dating back to DU’s first season in 1904. The Pioneers beat the Rams 66-55 at Magness Arena last season, snapping a three-game losing streak to CSU, but Denver is 24-55 all-time in Fort Collins and has not won there since Jan. 6, 1979.

Road Less Traveled: The Pioneers have won three-straight road games, dating back to last season. Denver beat South Dakota State 83-80 in Brookings, S.D., on Nov. 28.

Welcome Back: Junior forward Rob Lewis, last year’s team leader in rebounding, returned to the lineup for the first time this season against South Dakota State on Nov. 28 after being sidelined with a stress reaction in his right leg. Lewis has played just 24 minutes in the two games since his return, but he has a combined 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.

O Captain! My Captain!: Senior captain Nate Rohnert earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honors after scoring a career-high 32 points against Wyoming on Nov. 25 and 13 points at South Dakota State on Nov. 28, both DU victories. Rohnert’s 32 points against the Cowboys were the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert hit 18 free throws, a Magness Arena record and one shy of John Johnson’s all-time mark (19 vs. Utah State, Feb. 23, 1974) at Denver. The last Pioneer with 18 free throws made was Mark Langkamp (18 at Regis, Jan. 1, 1984). Rohnert has 35 assists, while committing just nine turnovers this season, giving him a 3.9 assist-to-turnover ratio, the best in the SBC. Through the Dec. 1 SBC Release, Preseason All- Sun Belt Conference First Team honoree also ranked among the SBC’s top 15 in points (first, 19.2 ppg), assists (second , 6.0 apg), minutes played (second, 34.6 mpg), three-point field goal percentage (third, .600), defensive rebounds (third, 5.6 rpg), rebounds (11th, 6.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (15th, .500).

Milestone Watch: Nate Rohnert is one assist from tying Derrick Fuller for seventh on DU’s all-time career list with 270 and sits 32 assists shy of sixth place. The senior captain has career totals of 959 points, 397 rebounds, 269 assists and 95 steals in 94 games at Denver.

Happy Beginnings: The Pioneers started the season 5-1, their best start since going 5-1 in 2005-06. DU’s four victories in November were the most Denver had ever won in November during the 106-year history of the program.

Hot Shots: Denver shot a blistering 67.3 percent (33-of-49) from the field at South Dakota State on Nov. 28, the fourth highest single game total in DU history and the highest since making 76.2 percent on Feb. 12, 1988.

Shooting Stars: The NCAA released its first national ranking summary on Nov. 30, and Denver ranked fifth in the nation in three-point shooting at 47.7 percent and seventh in field goal percentage (52.2), which both also are tops in the Sun Belt. Five Pioneers rank among the SBC’s top 11 in three-point field goal percentage: Chase Hallam (75.0), Nate Rohnert (60.0), Andrew Hooper (50.0), Kyle Lewis (50.0) and Brian Stafford (48.1). Hallam also ranked third in the SBC, shooting 66.7 percent from the field.

Denver Downs Lamar, 62-55

Nate Rohnert had 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and a career-high four steals in DU’s victory

DENVER- The University of Denver men’s basketball team defeated the Lamar Cardinals 62-55 tonight in Magness Arena.

 “Being 5-1 says something. We’ve played some good teams, and we did what we needed tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “There are things I’m not going to be happy about, but I think Rob Lewis helped us in the second half in only his second game back, and I thought Sabatino Chen gave us a big lift in the first half.”

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) led DU in scoring with 20 points and five rebounds. He also had 5 assists and tied his career-high with four steals. Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added nine points, all in the second half, in just his second game after returning from an injury.

The Pioneers (5-1) had a slow start against the Cardinals (3-5) before sophomore guard Sabatino Chen (Louisville, Colo.) sparked a 9-0 run halfway through the first half. However, Lamar led 29-26 at the break.

With 7:55 left in the game, Chen scored on a backdoor layup that tied the game at 44-44, and Denver took the lead on a Rohnert three-point play.

Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer at the 5:58 mark, extending the Pioneers’ lead to five.

After the Cardinals cut the DU lead back to two, Rohnert scored on a backdoor layup, and the Pioneers sealed the victory with free throws in the final minute.

Denver went 21-of-42 (50.0 percent) in shots from the field and held Lamar to 17-of-37 (45.9 percent). The Pioneers committed just nine turnovers, while causing 17 by the Cardinals.

The Pioneers head up to Fort Collins on Saturday to take on the Colorado State Rams at 7 p.m. MT. You can listen on Denver radio AM950.

Pioneer Hot Shots Down South Dakota, 83-80

Denver shot 67.3 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from three-point range in the victory

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of Denver men’s basketball team shot 67.3 percent from the field to beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 83-80 on Saturday night at Frost Arena.   

“South Dakota is a very, very good team, very well coached. What our guys did was show a lot of resolve on the road to hang in there and never let the game get away from us,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We played about as perfect of an offensive game as we could. Now we just need to make sure we get better defensively.”

Denver hit 33-of-39 shots from the field (67.3 percent), the fourth best single game performance in DU history and the best since hitting 76.2 percent on Feb. 12, 1988. The Pioneers also made 9-of-14 from three-point range (64.3 percent).

Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) and sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored 13 points each for the Pioneers, while freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) both had 11 points.

The Jackrabbits (2-4) held a six-point lead with 9:07 remaining in the game, but the Pioneers charged back with an 11-0 run to reclaim the lead, when Chase Hallam hit a backdoor layup with 6:23 on the clock.

Sophomore guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and junior guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) hit back-to-back layups to give the Pioneers a seven-point lead with a minute remaining in the game.

South Dakota State hit a jumper and a three-pointer in a 17-second span to cut the DU lead to two points, and a free throw cut the lead to one.

Stafford went to the line with 11 seconds remaining and hit both, and Denver held on.

Junior forward Rob Lewis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) returned to the lineup for the first time this season after suffering from a stress reaction in his leg, and scored eight points, pulled down three rebounds and added two assists in only seven minutes of action.

In the first half, Denver hit 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the field and 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from three-point range, but the Jackrabbits took a 36-35 lead to halftime.

The Pioneers return home to face Lamar at Magness Arena on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT.

Game #5: University of Denver Men's Basketball Team vs  (3-1) vs. South Dakota State (2-3)

Saturday, November 28, 2009 • 6 p.m. MT

Frost Arena (6,500) • Brookings, S.D.

           TV: None • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com (Video & Audio)

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Saturday’s game on a three-game winning streak, including an 80-77 victory over Wyoming on Nov. 25. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last season. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team. Junior forward Rob Lewis, last year’s team leader in rebounding, is week-to-week with a stress reaction in his right leg. Lewis’ status is day-to-day and is doubtful against South Dakota State. 

About South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits opened the season with a pair of convincing wins at Wyoming and against Mayville State. However, South Dakota State followed it by dropping three-straight to Purdue, Boston College and East Carolina at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, USVI. The Jackrabbits were picked fourth in the Summit League preseason poll, while Garrett Callahan was picked preseason All-Summit first team, and Anthony Cordova earned a second team nod. Callahan leads the team with 13.2 points per game, while Clint Sargent (11.2) and Cordova (10.6) also are averaging double digits in scoring. SDSU returns all five starters from a team that went 13-20 and finished seventh in the Summit League last year.

The Match-up: The Jackrabbits hold a slight 4-3 edge in the all-time series and have won all three meetings at Frost Arena. Three of the past four matchups have been won by four points or less.

Road Less Traveled: The game at South Dakota State marks the first road game in 2009-10 for DU. The Pioneers will board flights for only two of their four road trips during the nonconference season, including the trip to Brookings, S.D. The Pioneers won the final two road games of last season.

Rah, Rah Rohnert: Senior captain Nate Rohnert scored a career-high 32 points in DU’s win over Wyoming on Nov. 25, the most by a Denver player since Yemi Nicholson scored 33 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 11, 2006. Rohnert hit 18 free throws, a Magness Arena record and one shy of John Johnson’s all-time mark (19 vs. Utah State, Feb. 23, 1974) at Denver. The last Pioneer with 18 free throws made was Mark Langkamp (18 at Regis, Jan. 1, 1984). The 6-foot-5 Rohnert also added six assists against the Cowboys, increasing his career total to 260, leaving Rohnert 10 away from moving to seventh on DU’s all-time list. Rohnert has 26 assists, while committing just five turnovers this season, giving him a 5.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. Rohnert leads the Pioneers with 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game this season. The Parker, Colo., native recorded his second career double-double against Northern Iowa on Nov. 13 with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Rohnert earned Preseason All- Sun Belt Conference First Team honors after earning All-SBC First Team and All-District 24 Second Team last season. The senior captain finished 2008-09 ranked among the SBC’s top 10 in scoring (eighth, 15.3 ppg), field goal percentage (10th, .493), assists (third , 4.71 apg), steals (sixth, 1.29 spg) and minutes played (first, 37.00 mpg).

Three-Point D: Denver has prevented its last two opponents, Montana and Wyoming, from making a three-pointer. The Grizzlies and Cowboys went a combined 0-for-11 from beyond the arc. The Pioneers have not given up a three-pointer since Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Stephan Collins hit one with 12:01 remaining in the game. DU has not given up a three in the last 92:01.

Cut to the Chase: Freshman guard Chase Hallam has made 13 of his first 19 collegiate shots (78.9 percent), including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Hallam has averaged 8.3 points through his first four games with the Pioneers, and he is second on the team with 3.5 rebounds per game.

Foul Mood: Denver and Wyoming combined for 65 fouls on Nov. 25. The Cowboys set the Magness Arena record for both free throws made (41) and attempted (51), while Denver went 35-for-43 (81.4 percent) from the line.

Fresh Faces: Freshmen Blake Foeman, Chase Hallam and Kyle Chynoweth join the Pioneers this season. Foeman is a 6-foot-7 forward from Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla. Hallam is a 6-foot-5 guard from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, and the brother of current DU sophomore Travis Hallam. Chynoweth, a 6-foot-7 forward from Parkland, Fla., walked on the team. Also joining the roster this season is sophomore Alex Pickert, who served as a team manager last season.

Rohnert’s 32 Points Propels Denver Past Wyoming, 80-77

Nate Rohnert had a career-high 32 points, while adding eight rebounds and six assists

DENVER – Senior captain Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) scored a career high 32 points to lead the University of Denver men’s basketball team overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Wyoming 80-77 on Wednesday night at Magness Arena.

“I am really proud of our team tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “Our guys hung tough and made the plays that needed to be made, and Nate Rohnert played like the senior leader that he is.”

After trailing 44-34 at halftime, the Pioneers (3-1) opened the second half on a 12-5 run to tie the score at 52-52.

Trailing by three with 6:22 remaining, junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer from the corner, sparking a 9-0 Denver run that included a Rohnert three-pointer that put the Pioneers on top 64-61, and was capped by a Hooper dunk.

Rohnert sealed the game in the final minute with four free throws.

Hooper scored 14 points on the night, and the Pioneers hit 81.4 percent of their free throws, including an 8-for-8 performance from junior guard Kyle Lewis (Denver, Colo.) and 7-for-8 from sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

In addition to the new career high in points, Rohnert set a Magness Arena record with 18 free-throws made, which was also the most since Mark Langkamp’s 18 on Jan. 18, 1984, and one shy of DU’s record.

Afam Muojeke led the Cowboys (2-2) with 20 points, and A. J. Davis had 19 points.

Next, the Pioneers hit the road for the first time this season to take on South Dakota State on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT.

 Great game this Wednesday!

University of Denver (2-1) vs. University of Wyoming (2-1)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 • 7 p.m. MT

Magness Arena, University of Denver, Denver, Colo.

TV: FSN Rocky Mountain • Radio: AM 950 • Web: www.DenverPioneers.com

About Denver: The Pioneers enter Wednesday’s game on a two-game winning streak, including a 56-49 victory over Montana on Nov. 19. Denver returns nine players, including all five starters, and 98 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last season. DU was picked second in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, and senior captain and guard Nate Rohnert was named to the Preseason All-SBC First Team. Junior forward Rob Lewis, last year’s team leader in rebounding, is week-to-week with a stress reaction in his right leg. Lewis suited up but did not play against Montana on Nov. 19 and is questionable against Wyoming on Wednesday. 

About Wyoming: The Cowboys opened the season 2-1 with convincing wins over Peru State and Boise State, following a 16-point season opening loss to South Dakota State. Wyoming was picked sixth in the Mountain West Conference in the preseason poll. Reigning MWC Freshman of the Year Afam Muoeke leads the Pokes with 21.0 points per game, while Djibril Thiam has averaged 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Cowboys return two starters and five letterwinners to return from a squad that went 19-14 overall and played in the College Basketball Invitational last season.

The Match-up: The Cowboys hold a 98-43 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1920. Wyoming is 39-30 against the Pioneers in Denver. However, the home team has won each of the past seven meetings with DU taking three and the Pokes winning four.

Magness Magic: After falling to Northern Iowa in the opener, the Pioneers have won two-straight at home. Since Joe Scott took over as head coach prior to the 2007-08 season, the Pioneers are 23-7 (.767) at Magness Arena.

Assistance Please: Senior captain Nate Rohnert had six assists against Montana on Nov. 19 to move into eighth place on DU’s all-time assists list with 254. The 6-foot-5 Rohnert has 20 assists this season with only one turnover in each of DU’s three games for a 6.67 assists-to-turnover ratio, tied for sixth highest in the nation. Rohnert leads the Pioneers with 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game this season. The Parker, Colo., native recorded his second career double-double against Northern Iowa on Nov. 13 with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Rohnert earned Preseason All- Sun Belt Conference First Team honors after earning All-SBC First Team and All-District 24 Second Team last season. The senior captain finished 2008-09 ranked among the SBC’s top 10 in scoring (eighth, 15.3 ppg), field goal percentage (10th, .493), assists (third , 4.71 apg), steals (sixth, 1.29 spg) and minutes played (first, 37.00 mpg).

Cut to the Chase: Freshman guard Chase Hallam made 10 of his first 15 collegiate shots, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. Hallam has averaged 8.7 points through his first three games with the Pioneers, and he is second on the team with 3.3 rebounds per game.

Shooting Stars: Denver is tied for seventh in the nation in three-point shooting at 49.1 percent, led by sophomore guard Brian Stafford, who is tied for the NCAA lead at 71.4 percent. The Pioneers also are 29th in the nation by hitting 51.2 percent from the field. Denver ranked 18th in the NCAA in field goal percentage last season (47.9 percent), 33rd in free throw percentage (73.8 percent) and 39th in three-point field goal percentage (37.7 percent). Junior forward Andrew Hooper led the Sun Belt with a 46.6 three-point field goal percentage, which would have ranked third in the nation, had Hooper reached the NCAA minimum of 2.5 three-pointers made per game.

TV Stars: Wednesday’s game against Wyoming will be broadcast live on FSN Rocky Mountain with Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Greg Lackey (color) calling the action, while Alanna Rizzo reports from the sidelines. The Pioneers are 9-2 in games on FSN Rocky Mountain under Joe Scott.

Fresh Faces: Freshmen Blake Foeman, Chase Hallam and Kyle Chynoweth join the Pioneers this season. Foeman is a 6-foot-7 forward from Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla. Hallam is a 6-foot-5 guard from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, and the brother of current DU sophomore Travis Hallam. Chynoweth, a 6-foot-7 forward from Parkland, Fla., walked on the team. Also joining the roster this season is sophomore Alex Pickert, who served as a team manager last season.

Denver Downs Montana 56-49

Nate Rohnert had 20 points, while freshman Chase Hallam scored 14

DENVER – Senior guard Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) scored 20 points and freshman guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) added 14 points, as the University of Denver downed Montana 56-49 tonight.

The game started with the National Anthem lead by a choir from Denver Slavin Elementary school. The music has greatly improved over last year, when the brass band would play and almost no one would sing.

The game tonight was fantastic! What a great team we have!

“I thought we played extremely well the whole night,” head coach Joe Scott (on left in photo below) said. “Our offense was clicking really well in the first half, and we only had five turnovers in the game, which is terrific. Our defense was good the whole game.”

Rohnert added six assists and five rebounds, while Chase Hallam also pulled down five boards and shot 6-for-7 from the field with a pair of three-pointers.

Denver (2-1) held a 36-22 lead at halftime, but Montana (3-1) stormed back to cut the lead to four with 1:42 remaining in the game. However, the Grizzlies missed shots on three-straight possessions, and the Pioneers held onto the rebounds, including two by junior forward Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.), to seal the victory.

Denver held a 19-16 advantage with 11:02 remaining in the first half, when the Pioneers ripped off a 13-0 run to take a 16-point lead.

The Pioneers hit 14-of-25 shots (56.0 percent) in the first half, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while the Grizzlies went 10-for-20 (50.0 percent) but missed all four three-point attempts before the break.

Montana was led by preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection Anthony Johnson, who had 23 points, and center Brian Qvale had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Denver returns to action against Mountain West rival Wyoming at Magness Arena on Wed., Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FSN as was tonight's. This is without doubt the most exciting team in Denver right now. For tickets see http://www.DenverPioneers.com

Pioneers Down Arkansas-Pine Bluff 75-56

Stafford scores game-high 19, as Denver earns its first win of the season with a 19-point victory

DENVER – DU Wins! University of Denver sophomore guard sophomore guard Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) had 19 points to help the Pioneers (1-1) defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-2) in a 75-56 victory Sunday afternoon at Magness Arena.

Stafford was a stellar 6-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range for a game-high 19 points after scoring 20 in DU’s season opener on Friday. Senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) contributed 20 points and tied a career-high with nine assists. Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) added 18 points, including 12 in the second half, and two steals.

In the game, the Pioneers shot 59.5% from the field and 52.4 percent from three-point range.

“I was happy to see us fight hard in the second half, but we still have to work on developing that killer instinct,” head coach Joe Scott said. “This was a good win, and I like where we’re at right now.”

The Golden Lions started the game on a 7-0 run over the first 3:37 of the game, but the Pioneers went 9-for-15 from the field and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc to end the half with a 40-36 lead.

The Pioneers poured it on in the second half, starting with a 15-2 run, and held the Golden Lions to only 20 points after the break. 

Denver returns to action against Montana at Magness Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m.

DU Men’s Basketball Falls 71-65 to Northern Iowa

Brian Stafford scored 20 points in the season opener

DENVER – Sophomore Brian Stafford (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored a game-high 20 points, but the University of Denver men’s basketball team (0-1) fell 71-65 to Northern Iowa (1-0) in the season opener on Friday night at Magness Arena.

“We wanted to play a team of this caliber because that’s the level we expect ourselves to be at,” said head coach Joe Scott. “We are going to get better and better throughout this season and I’m excited to see just how good we will be.”

Stafford was 8-10 from the field and 4-for-4 from three-point range.  He also had two steals on the night.  Senior Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and was 8-of-11 from the free throw line.  Junior Andrew Hooper (Lakewood, Colo.) also contributed 13 points.

This is the second year that the Pioneers have opened the season against Northern Iowa, who won the Missouri Valley Conference championship and appeared in the NCAA Tournament last year. 

DU returns to action on Sunday as they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1 p.m.

We got together with 3rd year University of Denver basketball coach Joe Scott this morning. DU opens it's season this Friday with a 7:30 p.m. game against Northern Iowa, then Sunday at 1 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. www.DenverPioneers.com  
(See me drinking coffee with DU red hat on to the left) After he reviewed the team and the upcoming season, I was able to talk with him.

Scott's an intense, experienced, winning coach who is a stickler for execution and detail, something he learned from his coach Pete Carril at Princeton http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/article.asp?intID=5676

Each DU player is given a copy of Carril's book http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Take-Strong-Basketball-Philosophy/dp/068483510X. I just bought a copy (used for $1) on Amazon after reading this customer review:

"Every day, before he left for work, [Father] would remind my sister and me how important it is to be smart," Carril writes. "Then, as he was going out the door, he would point his finger at his head and say, 'Use El Coco'"(17). As a young player standing only 5'6, Carril took the simple message to heart -- and, around it, developed an entire doctrine of coaching that guided Princeton to 13 Ivy League titles, an NIT tournament win in 1975 (the only by an Ivy League school) and a classic upset of defending champion UCLA in the 1996 NCAA Tournament. That he did it all in one of America's elite academic institutions, without offering a single scholarship, makes his accomplishments even more remarkable.

Scott's been a winner, both as player (a 4-year letter winner and three-year starter at Princeton) and coach. Prior to turning DU basketball into a winning program (21-6 at home), he coach Princeton (No. 5 seed in 1998 NCAA tournament, highest ever for an Ivy League school), and took Air Force to it's first NCAA tournament appearance in 42 years. His young Pioneer team last year defeated 3 2008 NCAA Tournament teams. With only one senior, this years team is the 8th youngest in the country.

"We have a team that plays to win. That's different than a team that loves to win. Everyone loves to win. Play to win means every second doing the things that are required to win. That's what this team does, on and off the court," said Scott.

"Nearly every game at this level comes down to the last seconds, the last shots. At that point in the game it's not the physical that makes the difference, it's here," Scott says putting his hand over his chest. "It's heart and head. El coco. The smart beat the strong."

This promises to be a great season. Getting to the NCAA Tournament is clearly the big plan. This very well may be the big year. Get your tickets now while they are still available.

Joe Scott Radio Show!

The Denver men’s basketball radio show will be broadcast on AM 950 KRWZ each Monday at 7 p.m.

DENVER – The Joe Scott Radio Show returns for another year, beginning Nov. 9 from 7-8 p.m. MT on AM 950 KRWZ, the flagship station of Denver basketball, as well as an audio cast on Pioneer Vision at www.DenverPioneers.com.

The show will air on Monday nights beginning Nov. 9 at The Pioneer restaurant, located at 2401 South University Ave., just south of the DU campus.

Mitch Hyder, who enters his 11^th season as the Voice of Denver Basketball, will once again host each show.

The Pioneer restaurant will offer food and drinks specials and is open to the public.

The Pioneers open their season at home against Northern Iowa on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. MT and against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. MT.

* - The show will air every Monday, except Dec. 28.

Men’s basketball season tickets for the 2009-10 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. DU continues its commitment to provide the community with affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area. Ticket packages start at $64. Individual game tickets also are on sale with prices ranging from $9-$15 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card. For ticket information, visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

Follow DU athletics on the web at www.DenverPioneers.com

Follow DU athletics on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DU_Pioneers

Become a fan of the Denver Pioneers on Facebook

The Denver Center Theatre Company is doing a excellent production of Lorraine Hansberry's  A Raisin in the Sun, the classic and moving exploration of individual expressions of the American dream on Chicago’s Southside. The title comes from these lines in the Langston Hughes poem Dream Deferred:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

The play was inspired partly by the Hansberry's family struggle to move into the White Washington Park neighborhood in South Chicago, a fight that was finally settled in her fathers favor by the U.S. Supreme Court (Hansberry vs Lee 1940).

In the play, father’s $10,000 life insurance settlement inspires three generations of the inner-city Younger family to dream of very different ways to spend the money. Mama dreams of living in a better neighborhood, her daughter plans to go to medical school and her son intends to buy into a liquor store. Money creates powerful family dynamics, and the actors do a phenomenal job of capturing the emotions of the mother, who suddenly becomes the head of the family with her dream within her grasp with the arrival of the insurance check, and her children, who fight for their dreams.

Raisin in the Sun came to Broadway in 1959, during a time my mom and dad were making business trips to New York and seeing plays there. I wonder if they took this one in.


Mike Hartman's excellent performance hit closest to home for me. Mike plays the representative from the white neighborhood who comes to ask the black family not to move in, at the same time explaining that the neighborhood is very friendly and unprejudiced, of course. It reminds me of conversations with my family when I hired the first black route salesman for my father's company.

There was an excellent review in the Denver Post yesterday:
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_13527816

Last night I saw  the very fine production of A Picasso at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden with my friend Marsha who is back visiting from Mexico where she now lives.

For 80 minutes we watched an artist interact with an interrogator, and through their very enlightening and entertaining dialog gain insight into how adversity is converted into great art, and why opposites attract. One drawing features Picasso on a cross, and in these 80 minutes we see him pinned down and the portraits that are produced from adversity, ranging from the death of a friend to the bombing of a village and the personal insult of a spit in the face.

Set in a basement, set aside from the press of everyday life, much like the safe space of a therapists office, we in the audience become the adult watching the interplay between the adult and the child, the superego and the id, persecution, and the fight against materialism and despair. 
 
"The play was also about the effect of the Nazi regime on art. How it oppressed the art critic- but how the spirited artist resisted its influence," Marsha observed. She was not offended by the strong language in the play and she is, in my opinion, easily offended.


The Denver Post had this review of the play a couple of days ago:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13506709?source=rss

Back in Denver for a third time by “Popular” demand, The New York Times calls Wicked “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster.” In the show’s first two engagements here since 2005, it has broken box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 26 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked “deserves the passion it inspires” (Rocky Mountain News).

Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One — born with emerald green skin — is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most complete and completely satisfying new musical in a long time” (USA Today).

Tickets start at $35
Groups (20+) submit a Group Request by using the button above or call 303.446.4829
Running time: 2 hrs 30 min with a 15 min intermission
http://www.denvercenter.org/shows-and-events/Shows/Wicked/Overview.aspx

Go Pioneers!

After two seasons with the Mile High Sports Radio Network, the University of Denver basketball and hockey programs are returning to KRWZ AM 950 and FM Sportsradio 104.3 the FAN, respectively, as their exclusive radio homes for the 2009-10 season. The FAN served as the exclusive home to Pioneer athletics for eight seasons from 1999-2007.

AM 950 will serve as the flagship station for the Denver men's basketball program. All 29 regular season games and all postseason game will be broadcast on AM 950. Veteran basketball announcer Mitch Hyder calls the action for his 11^th season.

"It is important that our loyal Denver basketball fans can listen to all of our games on one radio station," DU head basketball coach Joe Scott said. "We are pleased that every home, road and postseason game will be broadcast on a great radio signal in AM 950."

FM Sportsradio 104.3 the FAN will serve as the flagship station for the seven-time NCAA champion DU hockey program, carrying a majority of the broadcasts with some games on AM 950. Jay Stickney returns for his 10^th season calling on the exciting on-ice, play-by-play action.

"We are excited to return to the premier sports radio station in the Denver Metro region," DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We have a highly-competitive schedule and we're excited to renew our partnership with our friends at the FAN."

FM Sportsradio 104.3 the FAN is Denver's Sports Station. Live local talk with some of Denver's premier talk talent, including Scott Hastings, Alfred Williams, Sandy Clough and Mike Evans. Mix that with the strength of Mike & Mike in the Morning and the Jim Rome Show and you truly have Denver's #1 sports station, FM Sportsradio 104.3, the FAN.

"It's World Class Hockey on FM for the entire front range to hear and college basketball's No. 1 program in Colorado heard everywhere on AM 950," Sr. VP/GM Bob Call of Lincoln Financial Media Co. of Colorado said.

Men’s basketball season tickets for the 2009-10 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. DU continues its commitment to provide the community with the most affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area. Ticket packages start at $64.

Individual game tickets will go on sale on Oct. 5, with prices ranging from $9-$15 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card. For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

Follow DU athletics on the web at www.DenverPioneers.com

Follow DU athletics on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DU_Pioneers

Become a fan of the Denver Pioneers on Facebook