Bryant Rucker is filling his role for the University of Denver men’s basketball team.
As one of only three seniors on the team, 6-foot guard Rucker has received responsibility from coach Joe Scott in showing the younger players on the team the ropes.
Rucker is showing by example.
After six games, Rucker is third on the team in scoring at 10.0 points a game. He is second in 3-point baskets with 10, and in DU’s most game, against South Alabama, he had a career-high eight assists.
“Individually, I think I always can get better,” Rucker said. “We’re at the point in the season where expectations are high. It’s that way on every team.”
The Pioneers (5-1) face the local part of their schedule, playing Wyoming (4-2) on Wednesday night and then Air Force (4-2) on Saturday, with both games at Magness Arena.
Rucker is from Frisco, Texas, but he knows about DU’s long rivalry with Wyoming and that Scott once coached at Air Force.
“I’ve sensed the rivalry when we’ve played Wyoming,” Rucker said. “But I look at both games as just another game on our schedule.”
Rucker believes he can contribute to increased team leadership from than what was present last season, when the Pioneer struggled.
“A team with the better leadership is going to win,” Rucker said.
Scott looks at Rucker as a veteran.
“He’s probably played the most minutes of anyone over the four years, but all three of our seniors are really important to our team,” Scott said. “Our team still is growing up. We’re learning how to take advantage of opportunities.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or @irvmoss
