Oct. 8, 2014 ELMHURST, Ill. - University of Denver senior guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) was named Preseason Summit League Player of the Year, and the Pioneers were picked to finish second in the preseason poll of league coaches, sports information directors and media members, The Summit League announced today.
"I'm glad to see Brett recognized as preseason player of the year, and it is well deserved based on his past achievements," head coach Joe Scott said. "It is always nice to get preseason recognition, but we know that in-season and post-season recognition is what counts. Brett will have to step up and be a leader both on and off the court for our team to achieve its goals."
Olson is coming off a junior season that saw him named to the All-Summit League First Team. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native finished the season averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and was seventh in the NCAA in free throw percentage at .902.
Olson has the opportunity to finish his career as the all-time leader in games played (31), top 5 in scoring (452) and three-pointers made (3). Olson has been named to the all-league team in two separate conferences, and has a nearly 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio in his career. He was part of the 50-50-90 club (FG%, 3pt % and FT%) in conference play as a junior. Olson's career numbers in conference play are 11.8 points per game, 50.2% from the field, 47.2% from 3-point range and 91.5% from the line, while playing 34.7 minutes a game.
The Crimson and Gold return four of five starters. Olson is joined by senior guard Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas.), junior guard Jalen Love (Wichita, Kan.) and junior guard Bryant Rucker (Frisco, Texas).
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so by phone at 303-871-2336, in person at the Ritchie Center box office or through DenverPioneers.com by clicking here.
Fort Wayne was picked as the favorite to win the 2014-15 Summit League title.
The Summit League "kicks off" its season with its annual Media Day on Oct. 15. The league's 16-game, double round-robin league schedule starts Jan. 2. The 2015 Summit League Men's Basketball Championship will be held March 7-10, at the brand new Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., following six record-breaking years at the Sioux Falls Arena.
2014-15 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S BASKETBALL 2014-15 PRESEASON POLL |
Place | Team | Points (1st) |
1. | Fort Wayne | 450 (13) |
2. | Denver | 437 (12) |
3. | Oral Roberts | 400 |
4. | South Dakota State | 345 (1) |
5. | North Dakota State | 313 (4) |
6. | Omaha | 245 |
7. | Western Illinois | 151 |
8. | South Dakota | 148 |
9. | IUPUI | 75 |
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Preseason Player of the Year: Brett Olson, Denver |
|
First Team |
Name | School | Pos. | Year |
Lawrence Alexander | North Dakota State | G | Sr. |
Garret Covington | Western Illinois | G | So. |
Obi Emegano | Oral Roberts | G | Jr. |
Steve Forbes | Fort Wayne | F | Sr. |
Cody Larson | South Dakota State | F | Sr. |
Brett Olson | Denver | G | Sr. |
|
Second Team |
Name | School | Pos. | Year |
Korey Billbury | Oral Roberts | G | Jr. |
Brandon Bos | South Dakota | G | Sr. |
Kory Brown | North Dakota State | G | Jr. |
CJ Carter | Omaha | G | Sr. |
Mo Evans | Fort Wayne | G | So. |
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