After conceding the University of Denver men’s basketball team’s 12-18 season was disappointing at best, coach Joe Scott turned his attention to the plan he believes will get the Pioneers rolling again.
Scott’s immediate plan is to restore the team aspect to his club’s culture that was a factor in the Pioneers winning 60 games in the three seasons before 2014-15.
DU’s season recently ended in the first round of the Summit League Tournament with a 61-50 loss to North Dakota State. Seniors Brett Olson and Cam Griffin combined for 34 points, Olson scoring 24.
“I was glad to see our two seniors go out with strong performances,” Scott said. “I thought in the last four games of the season we had the feeling of being a team. Otherwise I was disappointed by our season and we’re going to do something about it.”
Consistency was the main issue that led to a 6-10 record in Summit League play. The Pioneers never won more than two games in a row at any point of the season.
Scott allowed that injuries during the season to freshman center Dan Amigo and junior guard Jalen Love didn’t help.
“We’re going to work hard on grasping the team concept as we prepare for next season,” Scott said. “That has to happen in order to maintain a profile as a prominent mid-major team. You have to have the fire and drive as a team.”
Scott already has started his rebuilding program, with early signings of Jake Holtzmann (6-foot-6) from Chaparral High School in Parker; Thomas Neff (6-foot-4) from Arvada West High School, and Abiola Akintola (6-6) from Australia.
“We believe Holtzmann has the ability to contribute right away,” Scott said.
Key returning players are Love, Amigo, junior Marcus Byrd (6-7), junior Nate Engesser (6-3), freshman Christian Mackey (6-6), junior Bryant Rucker (6-0), freshman Cam Delaney (6-4), freshman and freshman Duke Douglas (6-4).
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or
