SLT: UND vs. DU 3/6/2026 8:30PM

[sioux24/7]

Summit League Tournament time.

UND (KenPom 292) heads to Sioux Falls as the 3 seed after finishing 10-6 in league play. If you told most people back in November this team would end up 10-6 and a 3 seed, they would have signed up for that immediately. The non-conference slate outside of the Winthrop win did not exactly inspire confidence, and expectations were pretty low across the board.

Credit where it’s due, this staff exceeded what most thought this roster could do. I understand the counterpoint that the same staff helped create the lowered expectations in the first place. That debate can live on. The reality is this team outperformed preseason projections in the standings.

That said, momentum is not exactly glowing right now.

UND lost 4 of the last 6, including getting handled by NDSU to close the regular season. They are 1-3 since the Sather extension announcement, with road losses at SDSU and NDSU in that stretch. Not shocking results, but the timing doesn’t feel great heading into March.

Now it’s survive and advance.

Quarterfinal: UND vs Denver

UND draws Denver (KenPom 223) in the late game Friday night at the Denny. If we’re being honest, this is not the matchup most UND fans would have picked. I would have much rather seen USD or even Omaha. Instead, you get one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league.

The season series was split, with each team winning on the road:

• UND had to rally late to steal one in Denver
• Denver controlled things most of the way in Grand Forks

Denver is trending the opposite direction from UND, winning 5 of their last 7, including impressive wins over NDSU and UST. They did stumble badly against Oral Roberts to close the regular season, which shows their volatility.

Offensively, Denver is legit. Carson Johnson is a bucket, and he’s surrounded by weapons in Zane Nelson, Jeremiah Burke, Logan Kinsey and others. They don’t turn the ball over much and they score efficiently from all three levels.

The problem for Denver is on the other end.

They are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and ironically Johnson himself struggles defensively. They will give you opportunities. The question is whether UND can capitalize.

The Key

Turnovers.

When UND’s defense is active and forcing live-ball turnovers, it fuels their offense. In the halfcourt, UND can stagnate. In transition, they are significantly more dangerous.

Josh Jones returning is big. His presence inside raises the defensive floor and helps clean up some of the breakdowns we’ve seen lately. If UND can defend without fouling and generate 12 to 15 turnovers, that flips the math in this matchup.

If Denver gets comfortable, takes care of the ball, and turns it into a scoring contest in the 80s, that favors DU.

KenPom projects Denver 85-81. That feels about right stylistically. This will likely be played at a higher tempo than UND prefers.

One more wrinkle: this is the last time UND and Denver will meet as conference foes, as Denver heads to the WCC next season. Not a bad time to end it on your terms.

Tip is 8:30 PM Friday at the Denny in Sioux Falls. If you can’t make it, the game will be on the Summit League Network.

It’s March. Records and trends matter less now. UND exceeded expectations already. Now the question is whether they’ve got one more run in them.

[Kab]

UND wins if the coaching plan is good, Sather knows Denver’s strengths and he needs to figure out how to neutralize them, keep Johnson on the bench

glad to have jones back 

[SiouxFan100]

So we are sure Jones will play. -  with a big brace on his hand I assume?

[UNDDOM]

20 minutes ago, SiouxFan100 said:

So we are sure Jones will play. -  with a big brace on his hand I assume?

He’s back, no cast just a large pin in his wrist.   Said he is ready and feels good 

[Long Snapper 92]

1 minute ago, UNDDOM said:

He’s back, no cast just a large pin in his wrist.   Said he is ready and feels good 

How many minutes we think he’ll play?

My guess is that he fouls out in 9 minutes of action.

[SIOUXFAN97]

18 minutes ago, Long Snapper 92 said:

How many minutes we think he’ll play?

My guess is that he fouls out in 9 minutes of action.

8

[Kab]

16 with 7 points 

[sioux24/7]

Well looks like we are going against the conference player of the year in Carson Johnson. Don’t agree with the decision but he is good. 

[SIOUXFAN97]

this game should be at the betty...just sayin'