Move over, Boulder. Step aside, Fort Collins. Colorado’s road to March Madness may be going through Greeley this year.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Northern Colorado are sitting at No. 2 in the Big Sky Conference, and both have a strong shot at clinching a spot in the big dance. It would be the first time the men’s program has made it since 2011, and the second consecutive year for the women’s team.
Senior guard Jordan Davis — described as “a miniature Russell Westbrook” by head coach Jeff Linder — has been the driving force for the men. He’s ninth among Division I players in scoring with an average of 23.7 points.
On the women’s side, senior guard Savannah Smith — an All-Colorado selection during her prep days at Fossil Ridge — is the reigning Big Sky MVP. On Sunday, she dropped 36 points to lead the Bears to their fourth straight win. She also became UNC’s all-time leading scorer with 1,898 points.
These are state’s best hopes at seeing local representation to the Big Dance. Every other local team — including the 17-11 Colorado Buffaloes men’s team — needs a miracle run in their conference tournaments in order to go dancing.
Both UNC squads will probably need to do the same at the Big Sky tournament. However, they are better equipped to earn that automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- Nuggets: At San Antonio Spurs, 6:30 p.m. Monday, ALT |
- Avalanche: Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. Tuesday, ALT |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
NHL: Ducks 2, Avalanche 1
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Must-Read
Another pass rusher? Yes, Broncos could use depth after Von Miller, Bradley Chubb.
If the Broncos needed immediate, every-down help at outside linebacker, their decision would have been made Sunday by watching Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat run the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Read more…
Ian Desmond in center field for the Rockies looks like the right fit
Manager Bud Black’s tabbing of the 33-year-old veteran to roam the wide expanse at Coors Field was no doubt met with many raised eyebrows. Read more…
The Avalanche’s Ryan Graves was a clumsy kid. Now he’s playing in the NHL with boyhood buddy Nathan MacKinnon.
As a young teen, Ryan Graves was a cumbersome hockey player. His skating stride was inefficient and his stick-handling unwieldy. Boyhood buddy Nathan MacKinnon called him clumsy. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Rockies’ Pat Valaika making statement with spring training power surge.
+ John Elway set for ninth Broncos draft with a new coach, quarterback already in place.
+ Broncos’ search for tight end help started at the NFL combine.
+ Nikola Jokic: Nuggets need some soul-searching after terrible loss to Pelicans.
+ Rockies’ Antonio Senzatela encouraged by offspeed pitch progression as he competes for back-end rotation spot.
+ The Broncos’ boldest first-round move: Trade up for Dwayne Haskins.
+ Kickin’ it with Kiz: Would anything less than a championship make Nolan Arenado a $260 million mistake for the Rockies?
+ Hawaii-bound Kasey Neubert powers Highlands Ranch into 5A Final Four.
+ Double-teamed and off-balance, Smoky Hill star Kenny Foster offered a prayer.
Post Mailbag forms
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+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
294
How many home runs Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds has hit in his career. “Getting to 300 never even crossed my mind until I hit 30 in 2017, and then I was getting pretty close,” Reynolds said. “Now, itap a realistic goal.” Read more…
Parting Shot
Kiszla: Why LSU linebacker Devin White, not a QB, should be Broncos’ first-round draft target
Yes, quarterbacks are sexy. But resist that temptation. LSU inside linebacker Devin White is the guy for Denver. If the Broncos target any other player to select 10th in the NFL draft, they’re nuts. 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 .
