Games #28: Denver (15-12, 8-4 SL) vs. South Dakota State (16-11, 8-4 SL)
Thursday, February 27, 2014 • 6 p.m. MT
Frost Arena (6,063) • Brookings, S.D.
TV: Fox College Sports • Radio: AM 1510 & FM 93.7 • Web: Pioneer Vision (Audio)
About Denver: The Pioneers are 15-12 overall, 8-4 in The Summit League and 5-6 on the road this season. Denver has won eight of its last 10 games, including victories in three-straight games. DU is tied with Fort Wayne and South Dakota State for second in The Summit League, two games behind North Dakota State (10-2). Denver ranks eighth in the NCAA in assist/turnover ratio (1.54), 16th in turnovers per game (10.0), 27th in turnover margin (2.9), 31st in both assists per game (15.4) and scoring defense (63.1), 32nd in three-pointers per game (8.1), 37th in three-point percentage (.387), and 57th in steals per game (7.3). DU is led by Brett Olson and Chris Udofia, who are averaging 14.7 and 13.0 points per game, respectively.
About South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits are 16-11 overall, 8-4 in The Summit League and 9-3 at home. SDSU dropped its last game to North Dakota State on Feb. 22, following a six-game winning streak. The Jacks are ranked second in The Summit League and 12th in the nation in free throw percentage (.756), as well as leading the league in rebounding (35.0). SDSU is led by Jordan Dykstra, who ranks second in The Summit in scoring (16.2 points per game) and first in rebounding (7.6 rebounds per game). Brayden Carlson’s 14.8 points per game rank fourth in the league, while Cody Larson ranks in the top 10 in scoring (13.3), rebounding (7.0), blocked shots (1.1) and field goal percentage (.515). The Jackrabbits were picked to finish third in The Summit League Preseason Poll, and Dykstra was named to the Preseason All-League First Team.
The Matchup: The Jackrabbits lead the all-time series 5-4, including a 3-1 mark in Brookings. However, Denver took the last meeting 83-80 at Frost Arena on Nov. 29, 2009. SDSU won the previous matchup 74-73 at Magness Arena on Jan. 30.
Last Time Out: A double-double effort by senior Chris Udofia led the University of Denver to a 72-60 victory over Omaha at Magness Arena on Feb. 22. Udofia scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, adding three assists, two steals and two blocks. This marks his third double-double of the season. Four Pioneers scored in double figures with junior Cam Griffin’s 14 points leading the way for the Pioneers, while also grabbing seven rebounds. Junior Marcus Byrd recorded 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks while sophomore Nate Engesser scored 11 points and dished out five assists. Trailing by as many as nine points in the first half, Denver’s three-point shooting (53.8 percent) sparked a 9-0 run that gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 31-27 with 5:00 remaining, and Denver took a 41-32 lead into the half and rolled from there.
Broadcast Info: Thursday’s game at South Dakota State will air live on Midco Sports Network, as well as FOX College Sports (FCS). Tom Nieman (play-by-play) and Brad Newitt (color) will call the action. FCS is available in Denver (premium package may be required) on Comcast (Ch. 105 or 414) or DirecTV (Ch. 623).
U-Tube: Senior Chris Udofia enters his regular season games after claiming The Summit League Player of the Week on Feb. 24, following a pair of home wins last week. At six-foot-six, Udofia is ranked 35th in the nation and first in The Summit League with 2.48 blocks per game, and his 253 career blocks are the most in DU history. The DU captain is playing in his 121st career game, third most in team history. Only Brian Stafford (124) and Chase Hallam (122) have played more games at DU. Udofia recorded his third double-double of the season against Omaha on Feb. 22 with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and he now has 1,470 career points, putting him in fifth place on DU’s all-time scoring list. Udofia played a career-high 49 minutes at UTEP on Dec. 29, and has a season average of 34.9 per game, third in the Summit League. Udofia also ranks first in The Summit League in assist/turnover ratio (2.3), third in assists (4.0), fourth in steals (1.6), ninth in both rebounding (5.4) and offensive rebounds (1.8), 10th in field goal percentage (.502), 12th in scoring (13.0) and 14th in defensive rebounds (3.6). Udofia has started 94-straight games for DU, the eighth-longest current streak in the nation. A Preseason All-Summit League First Team selection, Udofia was named the Most Underrated Player in the Nation by Bleacher Report, the No. 6 Under-the-Radar Performer by CBSSports.com and a Preseason All-Mid Major Third Team member by College Sports Madness.
U-Tube 2.0: Senior Chris Udofia is one of just 12 players in DU history in the 1,000-point, 500-rebound club (page 3). Udofia and Nate Rohnert (2006-10) are the only players in Denver history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists. Both Udofia and Rohnert have at least 100 steals, as well. Udofia stands alone as the only DU player with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks. Overall, Udofia ranks among Denver’s top 10 career marks in seven different categories (see Milestone Watch on page 2).
Olson Well: Junior guard Brett Olson was named Summit League Player of the Week for the second time this season on Feb. 10 after recording career-bests of 30 points and six three-pointers made in a win over South Dakota on Feb. 8. Olson’s 30 points equaled the highest single-game scoring total in a Summit League game this season, and he also became the first Denver player to reach the 30-point plateau since Brian Stafford scored 32 against Portland State on Nov. 11, 2011. Olson, who was named The Summit League Athlete of the Month for December, is one of just nine 180 shooters in college basketball by adding together the percentages from the field, three-point range and free throw line to equal at least 180. Olson ranks fifth in the NCAA and first in The Summit League in free throw shooting at 92.6 percent (87-of-94). In his career, Olson has hit 92.5 percent (147-of-159) of his free throw attempts, the second-best mark in the NCAA among current players behind only Northern Colorado’s Tate Unruh (93.2 percent). Olson has missed consecutive free throws only twice in his career, both of which were spread over consecutive games, and he has missed two free throws in a game only once (Alaska Anchorage on Nov. 30) in his career. Olson also ranks 12th among current D-I players with a 44.0 three-point percentage, and his 188 career three-pointers made are the seventh most in DU history, just three behind Russell Martin (1995-98) in sixth. In addition to leading The Summit League in free throw percentage, Olson is first in and minutes played (36.7), third in three-pointers made (2.1), fourth in three-point percentage (.430), fifth scoring (14.7), sixth in both assists (3.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8), and 12th in steals (1.1). Olson has started all 90 games in his career, the 10-longest current streak in the NCAA.
Hitting the Mark: Denver shot a season-high 65.8 percent (25-of-35) from the field against Western Illinois on Feb. 20, marking the first time DU has shot better than 65 percent since shooting 66.7 percent against Western Kentucky on Jan. 11, 2010 (chart on page 2). It was also the best mark in The Summit League this season. The game against WIU marked the third time this season that DU shot better than 60 percent, including a 62.5 percent performance at Omaha on Jan. 23. DU has hit 50 percent or better in 11 games this season and is 9-2 in those games. In the past two seasons, the Pioneers are a combined 24-3 when hitting at least half of their shots.
The Long Ranger: The Pioneers made a season-high 64.3 percent of their three-pointers (9-of-14) against Western Illinois on Feb. 20, tied for the second highest mark in The Summit League this season. Denver’s season average is 8.1 three-pointers per game (first in The Summit and 32nd in the NCAA) with a .387 three-point percentage (second in The Summit League and 37th in the nation). Denver is 6-0 this season and is a combined 24-2 over the last three seasons when hitting 10 or more three-pointers. On the other hand, DU is 3-12 this season when making eight three-pointers or fewer. The Pioneers have at least one three-pointer in 251-straight games, dating back to Feb. 2, 2006.
Talking Turnovers: The Pioneers have had 10 turnovers or fewer 18 times this season, including each of the last five games. On the season, DU has averaged only 10.0 turnovers per game and recorded a 2.9 turnover margin, the 16th and 27th best marks in the NCAA. Denver also has a 1.54 assist/turnover ratio, first in The Summit League and the eighth best mark in the NCAA. Senior Chris Udofia leads the Summit with a 2.3 assist/turnover ratio, and junior Brett Olson is sixth at 1.8. Last season, DU was first in the WAC and fifth in the nation with a 1.45 assist/turnover ratio, and second in the WAC with a +4.56 turnover margin, the eighth best mark in the nation.
Magness Magic: Denver won its final four games at Magness Arena, giving the team a 9-4 mark at home this season. The Pioneers are 84-19 (.816) at home under head coach Joe Scott, including a 51-8 (.864) mark in conference games. DU was 14-2 overall and 9-0 in WAC games at home in 2012-13 after going 15-2 at home in 2011-12. In February 2012, ESPN.com’s Ken Pomeroy wrote that Magness Arena was one of the top two home-court advantages in the nation.
Lights, Cameron, Action: Junior guard Cam Griffin scored 14 points against Omaha on Feb. 22, just one shy of his career high which he tied the previous game against Western Illinois (Feb. 20). In 12 conference games, Griffin has a .610 field goal percentage (36-of-59), third best mark in The Summit League. At just 6-foot-3, Griffin is sixth in The Summit League in all games in both total rebounds (6.0) and offensive rebounds (1.9), and eighth in defensive rebounds (4.0). Griffin also has 1.4 steals and 8.6 points per game, which rank fifth and 30th in the conference, respectively. The San Antonio native recorded his second career double-double at UTEP (Dec. 29), tying his career high with 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Griffin moved to the starting lineup this season after being named the WAC 6th Man of the Week five times by StatSheet.com.
Ruck-n-Roll: Sophomore guard Bryant Rucker scored 17 points against Western Illinois on Feb. 20, going 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from three-point range. Rucker had a career day in his first-ever start at Omaha on Jan. 23. Rucker scored a game-high and career-high 19 points off 7-of-9 shooting and 4-of-5 from three-point range. In conference play, Rucker ranks third in The Summit League in three-point percentage (.472), eighth in three-pointers per game (1.4), 11th in field goal percentage (.526), ninth in steals (1.3) and 22nd in scoring (9.7).
Play Three Byrd: Redshirt sophomore Marcus Byrd scored 12 points off 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range against Omaha on Feb. 22. After hitting just nine three-pointers all of last season, Byrd is second in The Summit League in three-point percentage (.438) and fifth in three-pointers per game (1.9). Byrd had a career day in DU’s win over Southern on Dec. 3, setting career highs with 20 points and six three-pointers.
Feeling Unlucky: According to kenpom.com, the Pioneers rank 293 out of 351 teams in luck, which is “a measure of the deviation between a team’s actual winning percentage and what one would expect from its game-by-game efficiencies. Denver’s 67-63 win over North Dakota State on Feb. 1 marked just the third victory for DU in nine games this season that have been within one possession in the final minute of regulation, which has happened in five of the last six losses. Three of those games went to overtime.
Been Caught Stealing: Denver had eight steals at Fort Wayne on Feb. 15, scoring 19 points off 17 Mastodon turnovers. In 12 league games this year, DU is averaging 15.42 points off 12.83 opponent turnovers. The Pioneers are 29-1 when making 10 or more steals in a game under head coach Joe Scott. On the season, Denver is averaging 7.3 steals per game, second most in The Summit League. According to kenpom.com, the Pioneers have stolen the ball on 12.2 percent of opponents’ possessions, the 13th best mark in the nation.
Keep ‘Em Engessing: In each of the last two games, sophomore Nate Engesser scored a season-high 11 points, going a combined 8-of-12 from the field and 6-of-8 from three-point range. Engesser added career highs of five assists, four rebounds and 30 minutes against Omaha on Feb. 22. In 12 conference games, Engesser leads The Summit League with a .591 three-point percentage (13-of-22), 8.2 percent better than teammate Brett Olson in second place.
A Little Help from Their Friends: The Pioneers have recorded assists on 67.6 percent (417-of-617) of their shots this season, the highest mark in the nation according to KenPom.com. Chris Udofia (3.9) and Brett Olson (3.5) are ranked third and sixth in The Summit League in assists, respectively. In Joe Scott’s first six seasons at DU, the Pioneers recorded an assist on 66.4 percent of their field goals (2,636 assists on 3,967 field goals made), ranking among the top six highest percentages in the nation every year.
Road More Traveled: This week, senior Chris Udofia will be playing in his 53rd and 54th arenas and his 28th state. In his career, Udofia has played 68 different opponents in three conferences and three countries, including a trip to Spain and Andorra prior to his freshman year.
Working Overtime: Denver fell to UTEP 60-54 in double overtime on Dec. 29, marking DU’s first multi-overtime game since Jan. 3, 2009, at Louisiana-Lafayette. Earlier this season, the Pioneers played back-to-back overtime games for the first time since 2009. The Pioneers beat Southern on Dec. 3 for the team’s first overtime win of the season and first since beating Utah State in Logan, Utah, on Feb. 14, 2013, and they fell at Mercer on Dec. 7 for the first overtime loss since falling at Louisiana-Lafayette on Dec. 2, 2012. Denver is 5-21 in overtime games since returning to NCAA Division I in 1998-99, and 4-13 in such games since head coach Joe Scott took over the program in 2006-07, including a 76-75 neutral-site win in Norman, Okla., against East Central University in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic on Nov. 8, 2008, in Scott’s first game with the Pioneers.
Short Stop: At 5-foot-4, senior Charles Webb is the shortest player in college basketball. The walk-on guard has played in four games this season, pulling down three rebounds. Webb appeared in seven games last season, scoring his first career points against Southern Utah (Dec. 21, 2012).
To a Point: The Pioneers eclipsed the 80-point mark for the third time this season, when they beat Saint Francis 83-61 on Dec. 31. DU’s game against Belmont on Dec. 17 marked the first time a Joe Scott-coached team scored 90 points. In his 14th season, Scott is now 17-0 when his team (Air Force, Princeton, Denver) scores at least 80 points, which also includes an 80-70 win at Colorado State on Dec. 11.
The Year that Was: The Pioneers won 24 games in the 2013 calendar year, tying the team record. However, when DU won 24 games each year from 1982-84, the team was a member of NAIA. Denver has won 20 games in a calendar year only three times: 2013, 2005 and 1943 (see chart).
Out of the Gate: Nine of Denver’s first 11 games were against teams that played in the postseason last year, including Cal, Harvard, Southern, Colorado State and Belmont, which all played in the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers are 3-2 this season against 2013 NCAA Tournament teams. Overall, Denver’s schedule includes 16 postseason teams from last year.
From the Stripe: The Pioneers were 12-for-12 from the free throw line against Saint Francis on Dec. 31, the team’s first 100 percent performance of the season. DU did so twice last year with both coming against San Jose State: 11-for-11 at Magness Arena on Jan. 17, 2013, and 8-for-8 in San Jose, Calif., on Feb. 16, 2013.
National Letters of Intent: DU signed Cameron Delaney and Jake Pemberton to a National Letter of Intent to join the Pioneers in 2014-15. A 6-foot-3 guard from Harker Heights High School in Harker Heights, Texas, Delaney was selected as All-District First Team as a junior, averaging 12.4 points per game. Harker Heights named him the team’s most valuable player and defensive player of the year. Pemberton was named to the Colorado State All-Tournament Team last year after leading Mountain Vista High School to the Final Four. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native was named All-State Second Team as a junior.
Catch-22, Again: Denver had 22 wins each of the past two seasons, tying the most in the team’s 90-year Division I history.
Preseason Honors: Senior forward Chris Udofia was voted to the 2013-14 Preseason All-Summit League First Team and junior Brett Olson made the Second Team in a vote by the league coaches, media and SIDs.
Oh Captain, My Captain: For the second-straight year, Chris Udofia will serve as Denver’s team captain. Brett Olson and Cam Griffin were selected as assistant captains.
