DU's Scott Says Pioneers Are Showing Resiliency

DENVER (CBS4) - The season for any NCAA men's basketball team is a long grind, but this week fans of the University of Denver Pioneers certainly had reason to cheer.

"We've had a good week, which is really good for us, and hopefully we can keep building off of it," men's basketball coach Joe Scott told CBS4's Vic Lombardi on Xfinity Monday Live. Scott is in his seventh season as head coach at Denver and the team currently has a 4-5 record.

DU beat both the CSU Rams and Wyoming Cowboys in the past week. Scott said a big reason why was the strong play of Brett Olson.

"He's been playing really well over the last five to six games, and that's a big reason why we're playing well," Scott said.

Scott said Olson, a junior, knows "what a good shot is."

"He's come through in big spots for us," Scott said.

Another player who has been performing well for the Pioneers lately is Chris Udofia. Udofia, a senior, holds the school record for blocked shots.

"How did you get your hands on him?" Lombardi asked Scott.

"It's funny, Vic. We were one of only two Division I schools to recruit him. When you're at a mid-major, it's about finding the gems, the diamonds in the rough," Scott said. "You don't get any more of a diamond in the rough than Chris Udofia -- on the court, off the court, in the classroom.

"Everything he does is about the team. He just wants to win."

Last Wednesday's win in Fort Collins came after a heartbreaking loss to Mercer, and Scott praised his team's resiliency.

"They know that they have the ability to be good, and I think you're starting to see that come to the fore for us," he said.

The Pioneers face Belmont (8-3) on Tuesday night at Magness Arena. Fans who can't make it to the game can listen to the radio broadcast on AM 1510.

LINK: denverpioneers.com

DU women's basketball coach Kerry Cremeans was a guest on Xfinity Monday Live along with Scott. Her team faces North Texas on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Magness Arena before the men's game.

See more video with Cremeans and Scott in the Xfinity Monday Live section of CBSDenver.com.