DENVER – The University of Denver men’s basketball program travels to Tulsa Monday afternoon for its non-conference finale in the Pioneers’ final game of 2025. Opening tip-off on ESPN+ is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT.
HISTORY OF THE SERIES:
Monday marks the first meeting between the two programs.
LATEST EXIT:
Graduate student care Zane Nelson led the Pioneers with 32 points in their 86-79 win over Northern Colorado Saturday afternoon in Greeley. Nelson was one of four Pioneers to finish in double figures in Denver’s second road win over a DI Colorado school this season.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE IN DENVER:
- According to KenPom ratings, Denver played the 13th toughest non-conference schedule in the country in the month of November.
- Denver’s strength of schedule is now 38th in the country (thanks to 12/20 games played).
DENVER FINISHES AS ONLY UNDEFEATED IN STATE:
- On December 20, Denver defeated Northern Colorado 86-79, improving to 2-0 against Colorado teams (won at CSU) this season.
- Denver is the only DI Colorado team to go undefeated against local opponents this season.
- Denver’s win over UNC was its first since 2016, Greeley’s first since 2015 and marks the first season Denver has beaten Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the same season since 2003-04.
NELSON’S 32 POINTS PASS PIOS BEYOND NORTHERN COLORADO:
- Graduate student care Zane Nelson dropped 32 points in Denver’s 86-79 win over Northern Colorado on Dec. 20.
- Nelson shot 11 of 15 from the field, 5 of 5 from beyond the arc and 5 of 5 from the line.
- Nelson’s afternoon was his third 30-plus point game of his career.
- Nelson had 54 points in two road wins over Colorado State and Northern Colorado.
- The 32 points tied a season high by a Denver player, and Nelson became the 20th player to score 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 41st in the nation and first in the Summit League in effective completion percentage, entering the game at 57.0%.
- The Pioneers are also 51st in the nation and second in the league in free throw percentage (76.0) and 17th in the nation and first in the Summit League in three-point percentage (39.6).
- Denver leads the league and is 71st in the nation in scoring offense at 84.1 points per game.
DENVER UNIVERSITY ACCEPTS COE INVITATION FOR 2026-2027
- On October 31, the University of Denver announced that it had accepted an invitation to join the West Coast Conference in nine sports, beginning with the 2026-2027 season.
- “My immediate response was enthusiastic. I understand how important this is to the university and to athletics in general. I understand it’s a power conference, that’s for sure, and I think it’s just the perfect fit for our program and our 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 brings Denver a significant upgrade in the university’s overall reputation and brand association, combining DU with highly regarded, mostly private institutions with stronger academic rankings and profiles that will further strengthen the university’s position in the Western United States.
DENVER CRACKS NET TOP-200
- After Denver’s win against Eastern Washington on December 3, Denver moved into the NET top 200, at 199.
- Denver is currently 224 in the NET (as of 12/28).
- The last time Denver finished a season in the top 200 was 2013-14, when the Pioneers finished 136th (then RPI) in their first season in the Summit League.
- Denver’s best finish in the NET/RPI came during 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 joining the Division I ranks in 1998-99, including three times in the top 100 (2012-13, 2011-12, 2004-05).
- DU ranks fourth in NET among Summit League teams this year, behind St. Thomas (111), NDSU (125) and SDSU (174).
FOLLOWING :
Denver will take time off after Monday afternoon’s road game before opening Summit League play on New Year’s Eve against Kansas City. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast on the Summit League Network.
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