Denver men’s basketball team is currently 10-10 in their overall season and have earned a record of 2-5 within the Summit League conference. The young team consists of nine freshmen, out of the total 17  players on the roster.

The team is currently in the process of trying to identify their offensive rhythm; they pride themselves on their strong defense forcing turnovers and steals.

On Jan. 21 Denver fell 69-55 to the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks in Magness Arena. While the Pios came up short on receiving the win, the team played excellent defense managing to detain the third highest scoring team in the nation to 17 points below their average score of 85.9 points per game.

Freshman center C.J. Bobbitt (Harker Heights, Texas), generated a career-high 17 points against the Mavericks in addition to four rebounds.

“We’ve been trying to develop a certain mentality and identity which we’ve been doing better at. I think the game against Omaha showed we definitely had it on the defensive end, but offensively it’s just not there yet. That’s where our focus is, we’re working to improve that,” said ninth-season Head Coach Joe Scott.

Following the Omaha loss, Coach Scott took a different approach to the team’s trainings during their week off between the next game.

“I ran Saturday’s [Jan. 23] practice the exact same way I ran the first practice of the year; to refresh the guys and allow them to refocus and reenergize since it is such a long season of basketball,” said Scott.

Denver’s player depth surpasses far past the starting lineup, which tends to vary game-to-game.

Currently, seven players are averaging 20 minutes per game, providing a variety of threats Denver outputs.

Senior guard Nate Engesser (Colorado Springs, Colorado) is averaging 12.9 points per game and a 52.7 field goal percentage. In addition, freshman guard, Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minnesota) is averaging 12.2 points per game.

On Jan. 28, Denver topped the University of South Dakota 66-52 in Magness Arena. Freshman guard, Thomas Neff (Arvada, Colorado) recorded a career-high 16 points consisting of a career-best four three-pointers.

“We are making changes [in positions] to make us be a different team offensively, we’re trying different combinations [of players] designed to give our guys a refresher and provide variety,” said Scott.

Denver battled South Dakota State on Jan. 30 in Magness Arena. The Pios fell 67-56 off a second half surge from the Jackrabbits who capitalized on their momentum to take the lead.

Denver is scheduled to play seven conference games before the Summit League Tournament, which is beginning on March 5.

“Expect us to come out very hard and aggressive, we’re taking it one game at a time to focus on what’s right in front of us,” said Bobbitt.

The Pios return to Magness on Feb. 4 for a match-up against IUPUI. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.