Rodney Billups is confident the University of Denver can make the NCAA Tournament.
“Oh, heck yeah,” Billups said Thursday when I asked if DU could win the Summit League tournament. “We can do this. I don’t just mean beat Oral Roberts and South Dakota or Omaha after that, but win this thing. Going to be hard, but we can definitely do this.”
Of the four Division I men’s college basketball teams in Colorado, DU might be the one with the lowest profile (and we’ll take some of the blame for that). As great as the Pios have been in hockey, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball, hoops has been middle of the road, which is part of the reason DU brought Billups back to his alma mater last season. It was time to elevate the program, and it appears he has.
DU enters the Summit League tournament with the No. 3 seed (), but a 14-14 overall record – not exactly eye-popping, but Billups says to not let that mistake you. The Pios are peaking, going 7-2 in their last nine, including a win over No. 2 seed South Dakota.
“Guys came in with different motives after our success last year. It took 20 games to start playing with each other and for each other. Guys who were thinking about the pros or earning all-conference,” Billups said. “Once we got their heads straight, we’ve started rolling.”
If you want to get your March Madness fix early, pay attention to DU.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on tap?
- NHL: Wild at Avalanche, 7 p.m., ALT | Preview |
- NBA: Nuggets at Grizzlies, 6 p.m., ALT2 | Preview
- Cactus League: Diamondbacks at Rockies, 1:30 p.m.
- NCAA hockey: Miami RedHawks at Denver Pioneers, 7:05 p.m. |
- 5A Girls Hoops: No. 3 Horizon (23-2) vs. No. 6 Regis Jesuit (22-3), 4 p.m. at Denver Coliseum | Preview
- 5A Girls Hoops: No. 1 Fruita Monument (23-2) vs. No. 8 Fossil Ridge (19-5), 5:30 p.m. at Denver Coliseum | Preview
- 5A Girls Hoops: No. 2 Lakewood (22-3) vs. No. 7 Ralston Valley (21-4), 7 p.m. at Denver Coliseum | Preview
- 5A Girls Hoops: No. 4 Grandview (22-3) vs. No. 5 Highlands Ranch (21-4), 8:30 p.m. at Denver Coliseum | Preview
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
Cactus League: Rockies 2, Cubs 2
Recap |
Women’s College Hoops: , (8) Utah 56 — Pac-12 Tournament
Must-Read
Offensive guard Quenton Nelson wants to destroy the will of his opponents. Will his rare breed of nastiness entice the Broncos?
INDIANAPOLIS — Quenton Nelson learned early in life that when you are the youngest of 39 nephews and nieces, you can’t be afraid to throw your weight around. Now, the former Notre Dame offensive guard is pancaking his way into the conversation about the 2018 draftap best overall prospect. Read More…
Kiszla: Where to start in search for CSU basketball coach? Beg Becky Hammon to take the job.
Becky Hammon is the best choice as the next coach of the CSU men’s basketball team.
This is such a no-brainer that CSU athletic director Joe Parker should prepare a four-year, $6 million contract, offer it to Hammon and beg her to sign it. Read More…
With Paul Millsap back, Michael Malone must now retool Denver Nuggets’ rotation
Millsap’s return most directly impacts Lyles, who began the season out of the rotation but emerged as a valuable contributor in Millsap’s absence. Read More…
Quick Hits
+ Welp. That didn’t take long. A Texas college baseball coach was fired Thursday for drug testing comments he made about Colorado recruits.
+ The NFL combine and recent drafts show one thing (other than QB) that the Broncos could really use.
+What did the Rockies offer Greg Holland this offseason? USA Today’s Bob Nightengale dishes in the latest On The Rox podcast.
+ Mark your calendars. We’ve got a date and time for the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
+ Broncos briefs: John Elway is set to meet with the agents of these current players.
+ Why the Mountain West smart to gauge Gonzaga’s interest in conference expansion.
+ Pumped for the 5A boys hoops Great 8? Here’s our preview of the matchups.
+ Rockies need a true base-stealer. But speedy Raimel Tapia is still figuring it out. So what next?
+ Saunders early prediction: The Dodgers repeat as NL West champs and the Rockies get in via the wild card again.
By The Numbers
51
Total number of points Avalanche all-star Nathan MacKinnon has scored at home this season.
Parting Shot
Hey, adult fans: Grow up.
On the court, Wednesday’s Sweet 16 battle between Smoky Hill and Denver East at a packed Thunderdome was everything hoop fans could want: High-flying drunks, swings in momentum, dynamic ballers all over. But on the sidelines and in the stands, the game was highlighted by ugliness. Read More…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
