Feb. 13, 2004
Murfreesboro, Tenn. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
THE GAME - - The Pioneers will travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to battle SBC-foe Middle Tennessee State on Valentine's Day at 6 p.m. MT. Denver (13-9, 5-5) has lost its last two outings, falling to Louisiana-Lafayette (94-74) and Western Kentucky, 78-65, last Thursday (Feb. 12). Middle Tennessee (12-10, 4-5) has lost four of its last five games, losing to New Mexico State (81-76), Louisiana-Lafayette (74-64), Western Kentucky (81-76) and North Texas, 69-64, last Thursday (Feb. 12). The game can be heard live on KCKK AM 1600 and DenverPioneers.com.
SERIES HISTORY & NOTES - - This will be the fifth meeting between Denver and MTSU, with the Blue Raiders leading theseries, 3-1. The Pioneers won the first meeting, but MTSU has run off three straight, including an 83-59 win in last season's SBC Tournament. Denver is 1-1 all-time in Murfreesboro.
LAST MEETING - - Rodney Billups scored 13 and Zeljko Zupic had his second career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, but it was not enough as the Denver Pioneers fell to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 83-59, in 2003 Aeropostale SBC Tournament semifinal on March 10, 2003, in E.A. Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky.
ALL-SUN BELT - - University of Denver men's basketball senior center Brett Starkey was named to the 2003-04 preseason All-Sun Belt Conference first-team after his solid efforts during the 2002-03 season. Denver and South Alabama tied for the third spot in the West with 32 points.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS - - The Pioneers come off a 78-65 loss to Western Kentucky last Thursday (Feb. 12). Denver is 13-9, 5-5 on the season and 5-6, 2-3 on the road. Junior guard Erik Benzel leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.2 points. Starkey is averaging 12.1 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds. Junior point guard Rodney Billups has added 10.0 points and a team-high 5.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Senior forward Zeljko Zupic has contributed 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds thus far. Senior forward Carvell McAlister has averaged 8.6 points and 3.7 rebounds this season.
