Photo by: Justin Edmonds

With a new coach, new players and a new feel surrounding the men’s basketball program, the team finally began official practice last Friday at 7 p.m. in the Hamiliton gym.

Before the first official practice, teams are allowed just two hours a week of practice with coaches. The rest of the practices are led by captains and feature many scrimmages.

The Pioneers can now begin their full practice schedule in preparation for a tough season ahead.

“I think after today they can really have an idea of how things are going to be,” said Head Coach Joe Scott.

This past spring DU hired former Air Force and Princeton Head Coach Scott as the new leader of the program, taking over for Terry Carroll.

Denver will need every practice they can get as Scott brings a totally different offense and defense.

Unlike past seasons, when just the freshmen had to learn the offense or defense, this campaign all 13 players on the roster will be starting from scratch.

“The hard part about it is we have 13 freshmen in that regard. Usually you look to your upperclassmen for stability and knowledge, but in this regard we have 13 guys that are learning stuff,” said Scott.

The first practice lasted three hours and featured lots of hooting and hollering as players began to fully learn the plays.

The practice was not only watched by DU coaches, but also by about 10 local high school coaches who were invited to attend by the coaching staff.

It may not have been as crazy as many first practices are for programs around the country, with thousands of fans coming out to cheer on their team. Yet the Pioneers’ practice occurred as thousands of fans were next door cheering on the hockey team to their first victory of the season.

“They call that midnight madness or something. You know what I say: We got madness around here every day, so we don’t need any midnight madness!” said Scott.

The Pioneers have six freshmen, two sophomores, one junior and four seniors on the roster this season.

DU will begin the season at the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic in Norman, Oklahoma on Nov. 8 playing East Central Oklahoma in the first round. The winner will play the winner of San Francisco vs. Oklahoma. The Pioneers will also play Wyoming, Colorado, Colorado State, Penn State and Santa Clara during their non-conference schedule.