The Pioneers men’s basketball team will open the 2007–08 season at the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer before beginning its home schedule against regional rivals Wyoming (Nov. 13) and Colorado (Nov. 27), DU first-year head coach Joe Scott announced on Aug. 9.
“This is a solid schedule with some challenges, and we are particularly excited about the regional games against Wyoming, Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado,” Scott said. “We need to continue to cultivate these regional rivalries, which are so important to growing our fan base.
The Pioneers open the regular season with a pair of games Nov. 8–9 in Norman, Okla., as part of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic. The winner of the University of Oklahoma regional will advance to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York Nov. 15–16.
“The College Hoops Classic has become the premiere preseason tournament in college basketball, and we are honored to be a part of it for the first time,” Scott said.
Wyoming visits Magness Arena for Denver’s home opener Nov. 13. After a road game at Northern Colorado on Nov. 17, the Pioneers return home to face Colorado.
Denver travels to Fort Collins to meet Colorado State Dec. 5 before returning home for an in-state contest against Northern Colorado Dec. 8.
The Pioneers head east for a game against the Big 10’s Penn State Dec. 15 and will play at South Dakota State Dec. 18.
Sun Belt Conference play begins at home with 2007 SBC Champion and NCAA Tournament participant North Texas Dec. 22.
For the first time, Denver will play in the Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara, Calif., Dec. 28–29.
Conference play resumes in 2008 with home games against Louisiana-Monroe (Jan. 2), UALR (Jan. 13), Arkansas State (Jan. 17), Florida International (Jan. 31), Troy (Feb. 7), Louisiana-Lafayette (Feb. 10), Middle Tennessee (Feb. 21) and New Orleans (Feb. 24).
The Pioneers will play SBC road games at Middle Tennessee (Jan. 5), New Orleans (Jan. 10), Florida Atlantic (Jan. 24), South Alabama (Jan. 27), North Texas (Feb. 14), Louisiana-Monroe (Feb. 16), UALR (Feb. 28) and Louisiana-Lafayette (March 1).
The Sun Belt Tournament will begin March 5. The top-three seeds receive a first-round bye, while seeds four through eight will host a first-round game. The winners will advance to Mobile, Ala., March 9–11. The winner of the Sun Belt Tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Pioneers return starters Tyler Bullock, Adam Tanner and David Kummer, who missed last season due to injury, and also bring back key reserve Nate Rohnert.
Season tickets for the 2007–08 Denver Pioneers are on sale with ticket packages starting at $60. Individual game tickets will go on sale in October with prices ranging from $9–$15 for adults; seniors and children’s tickets are $6 and DU students get in free with their Pioneer Card.
For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Ritchie Center Box Office at 303-871-2336.