The University of Denver men’s basketball team will play 16 home games in Magness Arena in 2009–10, DU third-year head coach Joe Scott announced today. This marks the most Division I home games in Denver’s history.
“One of our goals since we started here was to develop a challenging schedule with more home games to build and create our home court advantage,” Scott said. “It also provides an opportunity for the local community to support a program that’s filled with Colorado players.”
DU welcomes three teams from the 2009 NCAA tournament to Magness Arena, including opening night against 2009 Missouri Valley Conference champion Northern Iowa on Nov. 13, as well as Cal State Northridge on Dec. 8 and two-time defending Sun Belt Conference champion Western Kentucky on Jan. 10. The Pioneers went 3-0 last year against 2008 NCAA tournament teams.
Download a PDF version of the complete schedule
Denver’s home schedule also features regional rivals Montana of the Big Sky Conference and the Mountain West Conference’s Wyoming.
The home Sun Belt schedule includes the conference opener on Dec. 17 against Florida International and its new head coach, Isiah Thomas, and South Alabama, which has played in the postseason in three of the past four years.
DU’s nonconference road schedule is highlighted by a visit to instate rivals Colorado State of the Mountain West on Dec. 5 and Northern Colorado on Dec. 28, as well as a trip to Portland on Dec. 12 to face a Pilots team that returns all five starters and is expected to challenge Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference title.
The Sun Belt Tournament will be held March 3–9. The top three seeds receive first round byes and the winner of the Sun Belt Tournament championship in Hot Springs, Ark., will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Pioneers return all five starters, including First Team All-SBC player and senior captain Nate Rohnert of Parker, Colo. Denver also welcomes back juniors Andrew Hooper of Lakewood, Colo.; Kyle Lewis of Denver; and Rob Lewis of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and sophomores Sabatino Chen of Louisville, Colo.; Justin Coughlin of Yuma, Colo.; Travis Hallam of Mesquite, Texas; Brian Stafford of Walnut Creek, Calif.; and Tyler Thalken of Tulsa, Okla.
Newcomers to the squad include 6-foot-5 Chase Hallam of Mesquite, Texas; Blake Foeman of Weston, Fla.; and Jeff Powers of Clayton, Calif.
“With the talent and experience we are returning, we have created a challenging schedule that fits with where we are in year three of our building process,” Scott said.
Season tickets for the 2009–10 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. Ticket packages start at $64. Group tickets will go on sale on Sept. 7, with prices starting as low as $4. Contact Group Ticket Manager Adam Sizemore at 303-871-2389 for more information.
Individual game tickets will go on sale on Oct. 5, with prices ranging from $9–$15 for adults. DU students get into games for free with their Pioneer Card. For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at 303-871-4667.