The 2012-13 University of Denver Pioneers

Here's Coach Joe Scott's 2012-13 roster:

(alphabetical)

Marcus Byrd F 6-7 187 RFr. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch H.S.)

Nate Engesser G 6-3 180 Fr. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Colorado Springs Christian)

Blake Foeman F 6-7 205 RJr. Weston, Fla. (Cypress Bay H.S.)

Cam Griffin G 6-3 185 So. San Antonio, Texas (Judson H.S.)

Chase Hallam G 6-5 210 Sr. Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S.)

Jake Logan C 6-8 215 RFr. Norwalk, Iowa (Norwalk H.S.)
     
Jalen Love G 6-2 165 Fr. Wichita, Kan. (Wichita East H.S.)
     
redshirting - Griffin McKenzie F 6-9 240 Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Xavier University) (Moeller H.S.)

Royce O'Neale F 6-5 202 So. Killeen, Texas (Harker Heights H.S.)

Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch H.S.)
     
Bryant Rucker G 6-0 180 Fr. Frisco, Texas (Centennial H.S.)
     
Dom Samac F 6-8 203 Fr. Zagreb, Croatia (North Broward Prep)

Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr. Irving, Texas (Jesuit Prep H.S.)

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr. Erie, Colo. (Erie High School)

* walk-on

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Here's what we wrote earlier (May 18) about University of Denver hoops:

Coming off a season that produced wins against Utah State, St. Mary's and Southern Mississippi, Coach Joe Scott's Pioneer crew in now a member of the WAC.

But it was a very successful Sun Belt Conference farewell tour as, overall, Denver went 11-5 (and 22-9). This despite not having a player on the roster larger than 6-foot-9 (and he played about 10 minutes a contest).

One of (if not the primary factor) the reasons is the patient offense the Pioneers employ, similar to what many recall Pete Carrill utilizing in his days at Princeton. It requires discipline, patience and selflessness until a defensive breakdown occurs and then the Pioneers strike.

Some very interesting numbers

Scott's 2011-12 team shot 49% overall, 40% from long distance -- opponents shot 44%

It was a three-point shooting machine on the court, attempting 640 versus 383 for opponents.

The Pioneers compiled 484 assists to 264.

Turnovers were 375 for Denver to 453 for opponents.

There was also a large differential in steals, 223 to 154.

For the season, DU was -4 in rebounding numbers, indicative of the lack of size

The Pioneer roster

In the backcourt, it looks like:

6-foot-3 prep shooting guard Nate Engesser could help

* Cam Griffin G 6-3 So (played just 42 minutes last season)
   
* Chase Hallam G 6-5 Sr (7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds per game, a team-leading 44 steals, started every game)

* Brett Olson G 6-5 170 So (as a frosh, he started every game, finished second on the team in minutes, averaged 7.6 points per game, his 46% three-point shooting  -- 117 attempts -- led the conference

* Royce O'Neale G 6-5 So (another freshman who quickly jumped into the fire, 9.9 points on 51% shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game, 43 steals

* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr (maybe a redshirt, maybe just didn't play)

In the frontcourt, it looks like:

* Marcus Byrd F 6-7 Fr (redshirted)

* Blake Foeman F 6-7 Jr (played just 254 minutes)
   
* Chris Udofia F 6-6 194 Jr (14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, 53% overall shooting, 72 blocked shots and named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year)

* Jake Logan C 6-8 215 Fr (redshirted)

Size will be an issue in matching up with the Utah States and the New Mexico States.

The core is the two now-sophomore backcourters, Olson and O'Neale, who will only get better and the third man in the Pioneer troika, Udofia, who has All-WAC possibilities. Senior Chase Hallam is also one to watch.

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The Pioneer starting five:

* Jake Logan
* Chris Udofia
* Royce O'Neale
* Chase Hallam
* Brett Olson