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 is the lone signee PTW could locate to date
* 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
* Tyler Thalken G 6-4 195 Sr (played just 23 minutes)
* Charles Webb G 5-5 155 Jr (didn't play, must have redshirted)
In the frontcourt, it looks like:
* Marcus Byrd F 6-7 Fr (didn't play, must have 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 (didn't play, must have redshirted)
In summary, there will be additions to the team -- there has to be. 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.
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1 comment:
Denver looks like a high school team in warm-ups, but this is a team of gym-rats that know how to play a smart system.
They play a smart game of good defense, ball security and good shot selection.
This year, four of five starters return from a 22-9 team - Udofia, O'Neale, Hallam and Olson - all about 6-5 and all know the system well. They will be able to hang with anyone in the WAC, but only one of those guys is a senior.
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