The DU men’s basketball team was picked to finish last in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference in the preseason coaches poll, but it surprised many teams and fans with a 20 win season, an SBC West Division title and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament.

Coach Terry Carroll was named the SBC coach of the year and Yemi Nicholson was named SBC player of the year, Sports Illustrated All-American Honorable Mention and Basketball Times All-Rockies Region Honors.

Before the start of the 2004-2005 season many were uncertain how Nicholson and sophomore forward Antonio Porch would handle significant playing time at the Division I level.

Both showed fans and critics throughout the season that they were a force to be reckoned with.

Nicholson finished the season with career highs, averaging 18.1 points per game and 8.4 rebounds a game. Porch was not far behind with 12.8 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Don’t forget the senior leaders on the squad, Rodney Billups and Erik Benzel, who led the Pioneers to their first appearance in the SBC Tournament final and their first appearance in the NIT since 1959.

After a tough loss to SBC foe Louisiana Lafayette in the tournament title game, the Pioneers dropped a heart breaker to the University of San Francisco in the first round of the NIT 69-67.

Denver will be losing two stellar players to graduation in Billups and Benzel, but will return three starters next season and will be ready to make a run at a second straight SBC West Division title.