Only one college basketball program in our state still has something to play for in the last week of March.
It might not be the NCAA Tournament, but for the University of Northern Colorado, the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) championship game will do just fine. Because outside of UNC head coach Jeff Linder, his staff and their players, no one expected the Bears to be in this position so quickly.
UNC self-imposed a 2016-17 postseason ban and reduced its scholarship availability after it discovered the previous coaching staff had mismanaged several of its student-athletes’ academics and provided impermissible financial benefits. In only year two under Linder’s leadership, the Bears have now won 25 games, and with a home victory at 5 p.m. Friday against Illinois-Chicago, UNC can hang a championship banner in Bank of Colorado Arena.
And that’s something all Coloradoans can be proud of.
— Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post
Want to receive this daily newsletter in your inbox?
What’s on tap?
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 2
Full story |
Must-Read
Colorado is making it harder for high school athletes to play their sport after transferring. Here’s why.
CHSAA recently released a packed agenda for next month’s Legislative Council meeting in Aurora, where the highlight of the 27 proposals being discussed is an amendment to the association’s transfer rule. Read More…
Avalanche’s top line: “Just a matter time” before MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen break slump
Suddenly, one of the NHL’s top lines on the league’s 10th-best offensive team has found itself in a rut during the most important time of the regular season. Read More…
Kiszla: For Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez, opening day of baseball season smells like redemption
“You keep trying to get rid of me,” said Gonzalez, laughing as he extended his right hand and put my palm in a vice grip that wouldn’t quit. “But I keep coming back.” Read More…
Quick Hits
+ From Kyle Freeland to Greg Bird, here’s a look at Colorado baseball products on 2018 MLB Opening Day rosters.
+Rockies go on spree on their bullpen after finding postseason value. They unleashed a new look in Arizona.
+ Denver Nuggets leading scorer Gary Harris to miss Friday’s game at Oklahoma City with knee injury.
+ How a former Boulder basketball star helped Michigan reach the Final Four.
+Rockies’ rough early road schedule doesn’t faze Bud Black
+ No consensus among NFL owners on national anthem policy as league meeting concludes.
+ Rockies’ Top 5 opening day games run from frigid drama to eked-out fun.
+Colorado State Rams football to face Washington State in 2022 and 2023
+Have a question about the Rockies or MLB? Patrick Saunders has some answers. Submit your mailbag questions here.
By The Numbers
60
Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been put on the 60-day disabled list because of bone spurs in his right heel, retroactive to March 28.
Parting Shot
WATCH: Chicago Cubs reporter jumps into Lake Michigan because Ian Happ blasts lead-off homer
Bleacher Nation Cubs reporter Michael Cerami tweeted Thursday that if Ian Happ opened the Chicago-Miami game with a home run, Cerami would jump into Lake Michigan. Here are the highlights.
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 .
