DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball program will begin the second half of its season on Wednesday with its Summit League opener at home against Kansas City. Opening tip on the Summit League Network is set for 2 p.m. MT.

GAME PROMO:
Denver's Holiday Hoops $10 tickets will be in effect for the final men's game of the 2025-26 season on Wednesday. The Pioneers theme on Wednesday in New Year's Kids Boppin Eve. 

SERIES HISTORY:
Kansas City holds an 8-6 edge in the series since Denver rejoined Division I in 1998-99, but the Pioneers have won two of the last three meetings. Last season, the two programs split their regular season battles, with both teams holding serve on their home floor. Kansas City holds a 10-6 lead in the series overall that dates back to 1988-89. MODERN DI SERIES HISTORY

LAST TIME OUT:
Denver had five players finish in double figures in its final game before the winter break, but its second half comeback fell short in a 90-85 loss at Tulsa on December 22. FULL RECAP 

DENVER'S NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

• According to KenPom ratings, Denver played the 13th most difficult non-conference schedule in the country in the month of November.
• Denver's non-conference strength of schedule was 32nd in the country at the end of non-conference play (KenPom).  

DENVER FINISHES AS LONE UNBEATEN IN-STATE:

• On December 20th, Denver defeated Northern Colorado 86-79, improving to 2-0 vs. Colorado (won at CSU) teams this season.
• Denver is the only DI Colorado team to go unbeaten against in-state foes this season.
• Denver's win over UNC was its first since 2016, its first in Greeley since 2015 and marks the first season Denver defeated Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the same season since 2003-04.

NELSON'S 32 POINTS PACES PIOS PAST NORTHERN COLORADO:

• Graduate student guard Zane Nelson dropped 32 points in Denver's 86-79 win at Northern Colorado on December 20.
• Nelson shot 11-for-15 from the field, 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and 5-for-5 from the line.
• Nelson's afternoon was his third 30+ point game of his career.
• Nelson combined for 54 points in its two road wins against Colorado State and Northern Colorado.
• The 32-points matched a season high by a Denver player, and Nelson became the 20th player to scored at least 32 points in a game against a DI opponent in the Pioneers modern DI era (since 1998-99).
• Nelson had 20 points in the second half of the win on 7-of-8 shooting and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

HOT-SHOOTING PIOS:

• Denver is currently ranked 51st in the country and second in the Summit League in effective field-goal percentage, entering the game at 56.4%.
• The Pioneers are also 44th in the country and second in the league in free-throw percentage (76.4) and 23rd in the country and first in the Summit League in three-point percentage (38.6).
• Denver leads the league and is 71st in the country in scoring offense at 84.1 points per game.

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER ACCEPTS WCC INVITE FOR 2026-27

• On October 31, the University of Denver announced it has accepted an invitation to join the West Coast Conference in nine sports, beginning in the 2026-27 season.
• "My immediate response was excited. I understand how big it is for the university and overall for athletics. I understand that it's a power conference for sure, and I think it's just the absolute perfect fit for our program and university." Head Coach Tim Bergstraser
• Denver will join the West Coast Conference in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball.
• The move provides Denver with a significant enhancement to the overall reputation of the university and brand association, allying DU with highly regarded, mostly private institutions with stronger academic ranking and profiles that will further strengthen the university's position in the western United States.

DENVER CRACKS NET TOP-200

• Following Denver's win over Eastern Washington on December 3, Denver cracked the top-200 in the NET, sitting at 199.
• Denver is currently 218 in the NET (thru 12/28).
• The last time Denver finished a season in the top-200 was in 2013-14 when the Pioneers finished 136th (then RPI) in their first season in the Summit League.
• Denver's best ever finish in the NET/RPI came in the 2012-13 campaign, when Denver finished 69th after winning the Western Athletic Conference Regular season title and advancing to the second round of the NIT.
• The Pioneers have finished in the top-200 nine times since rejoining the Division I ranks in 1998-99, including the top-100 three times (2012-13, 2011-12, 2004-05).
• DU ranks fourth in the NET among Summit League teams this year, behind St. Thomas (116), NDSU (152) and SDSU (175).

UP NEXT:
Following Wednesday's opener at home, Denver will play its next three Summit League games on the road, starting with a trip to St. Thomas on Sunday. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m. MT.

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