Denver Pioneers men's basketball
The Denver Pioneers men's basketball team represents the University of Denver and competes in the NCAA Division I men's college basketball in Denver, Colorado. They are coached by fourth-year head coach Rodney Billups and are members of the Summit League. They play their home games at Magness Arena.
Denver has never qualified for the NCAA Division I Tournament.
History
Denver began intercollegiate basketball in 1904 and played at the regional level prior to World War II. After the war, DU became an NCAA Division I level program between the 1950s and 1979, playing in the Mountain States and old Skyline conferences before becoming an NCAA Division I independent in 1962.In 1979, DU's declining finances forced the program to drop down to the Division II and NAIA levels until 1998.
DU moved back up to Division I status in 1998 and joined the Sun Belt Conference in 1999. In 2012, the Pioneers moved from the Sun Belt to the Western Athletic Conference. After only one year in the WAC, they joined The Summit League in July, 2013, where the play today.
Alumni
Notable former Denver basketball players include:- Vince Boryla, 1948 all-American, 1948 Gold Medal US Olympian, NBA all-Star player, coach and executive
- Royce O'Neale, Utah Jazz, played two years at Denver, all-WAC forward before transferring to Baylor
- David Adkins, who played at Denver in the mid 1970s, later became known as comedian/TV actor Sinbad.
- Ken Michelman, who played with David Adkins at DU, became an TV actor on The White Shadow, Grey's Anatomy, and other programs
- Phil Heath, Current Mr. Olympia Bodybuilder
- Byron Beck, ABA and NBA player, number retired by Denver Nuggets
- Rodney Billups, Euroleague player, current Denver Men's Basketball head coach
Postseason results
NCAA Division II Tournament results
The Pioneers have appeared in three NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 1–3.| 1992 | Regional Semifinals Regional Finals | North Dakota South Dakota State | W 73–68 L 57–87 |
| 1994 | Regional Quarterfinals | North Dakota State | L 72–87 |
| 1996 | Regional Quarterfinals | North Dakota State | L 70–71 |
NAIA Tournament results
The Pioneers have appeared in two NAIA Tournaments. Their combined record is 0–2.| 1948 | First Round | Mankato State | L 46–49 |
| 1984 | First Round | Waynesburg | L 56–58 OT |
NIT results
The Pioneers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament three times. Their combined record is 1–3.| 1959 | First Round | NYU@Madison Square Garden | L 81–90 |
| 2005 | Opening Round | @U of San Francisco | L 67–69 |
| 2013 | First Round Second Round | Ohio University @U of Maryland | W 61–57 L 52–62 |