Last night, while most sports fans in Denver were watching some guy named Tebow lead his team to another improbable comeback, I was at Magness Arena, watching the DU Pioneers knock off Conference USA’s Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, 59-52. Here’s my full 800 Games Project write-up of the game, over at the Mid-Majority. Excerpt:
Denver’s offense…showed flashes of brilliance that were rarities last season. … Rob Lewis was brilliant, reminding everyone why Denver missed him so much last year, as was sophomore Chris Udofia. Denver’s aggressiveness and ability to get points inside — against a bigger, more athletic team — was a welcome surprise, and one of the big stories of the game. The Pios were “only” 4-for-10 from #superhoop range, doing more of their scoring than usual from 2-point land and the free-throw line. …
Udofia and Lewis led the way with 23 and 15 points, respectively, including a number of beautiful layups resulting from excellent, well-executed offensive sets. … Udofia also produced the unquestioned play of the game, and probably of Denver’s young season, when he blocked a shot…then fielded a fast-break pass from Brett Olson (who had retrieved the ball after the block) and slammed it home for 2 points on the other end. As I tweeted immediately afterward: “OMG OMG OMG … CHRIS UDOFIA WITH THE #OMGSTUFFZ FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE #OMGDUNX that was awesome … Udofia block, fast break, gets ball back, dunks it. I present to the @midmajority / @800GP community a new term… the #OMGSTUFFDUNX!” …
The victory was effectively sealed on a Pioneers offensive possession that started with 55 seconds to go, Denver up 5. Southern Miss chose not to foul, but tried instead to pressure the Pioneers into a turnover. Denver patiently played keep-away, but the signature moment came with 15 on the shot clock, when freshman O’Neale fielded a pass just outside the three-point line, and found himself staring at a completely empty path to the basket. It was an Ali Farokhmanesh moment, and you could tell he was sorely tempted to try for the “dagger” superhoop. (He was 2-for-4 from three-point land on the night.) But he literally shook his head no, as if settling the debate between the angel and devil on his shoulder, and instead passed the ball to Travis Hallam. Seconds later, Lewis got open under the basket, Hallam passed it to him for an easy layup with 5 on the shot clock, and it was a 57-50 game with 25 seconds left. Game, set, match, Red Line Upset.
Denver is now 3-0. The Pioneers’ next game is at home Wednesday against mid-major powerhouse St. Mary’s. Then they hit the road to face Cal, ranked in the Top 25 nationally, and Utah State, another mid-major power. It’s very possible DU will be 3-3 after those games, but even if so, this has been a very successful start to the season.
[Cross-posted from Mile High Mids.]