Tyler Bullock was deemed the University of Denver’s best basketball player, and a young man new coach Joe Scott could build a foundation around.
However, the sophomore guard left the team and withdrew from school Dec. 7 to go home to Lincoln, Neb.
This week Bullock said he left for family reasons and wishes the Pioneers well going into Sun Belt Conference play. DU opens its 18-game conference schedule Saturday against defending Sun Belt champion North Texas.
“My grandfather’s not doing well at all, and I don’t know how much longer I’m going to have him,” Bullock said from Lincoln. “I’m here to support the family.”
He added: “I miss playing basketball, and my teammates — I miss them most of all. They respect me for what happened. I still keep in touch with everyone on the team.”
Bullock started all 35 games as a collegian. He averaged 11 points as a freshman but just 5.5 in six games this season. He went scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting in his final game Dec. 5 at Colorado State.
Denver (3-6) is 1-2 without Bullock. The Pioneers defeated visiting Northern Colorado 69-53 on Dec. 8 before losing two road games. They are 0-5 away from Magness Arena.
“Our guys have responded well, turning a negative into a positive,” Scott said of Bullock’s departure. “Joe Jackson has stepped up. Rob Lewis is playing forward now. Nate (Rohnert) and Joe are playing some guard.
“It’s possible that we’ve gotten better. You put more responsibility on some guys, and they’ve adjusted well. We’re spreading the minutes between seven guys now, and that has made us better. We’ve grown up the past 2-1/2 weeks.”
Despite it all, Scott has his squad one victory shy of last season’s win total. The Pioneers were 1-11 this time last year.
“We’re getting better every game,” Scott said. “In two of our last three road games, we’ve had a chance to win. We’re seeing the importance of every little thing. Every possession is critical. Our guys have found that out real early.”
North Texas is 8-2 after a 76-54 victory over Centenary. Saturday’s 4 p.m. game caps a DU-NT doubleheader, with the women playing at 1 p.m.
“It’s important to win games at home,” Scott said. “We’ve got a good North Texas team coming in. That’s our challenge, to be good at home in our first league game.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
