Denver Faces Tough Test at Undefeated North Dakota State
FARGO, ND – The University of Denver men’s basketball team travels to Fargo, North Dakota, on Thursday, February 3, 2026, to take on the undefeated North Dakota State Bison. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time, and the game will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
This marks the latest chapter in a series that dates back to the 1993-94 season. North Dakota State currently holds a 24-9 advantage and a 23-9 record since Denver transitioned to full Division I membership in 1998-99. The Pioneers have struggled in Fargo, with only two wins in 12 tries, their last victory coming in January 2024 by a score of 78-70. Earlier this season, on , North Dakota State edged out Denver 82-77 in Hamilton Gymnasium.
Denver is coming off a narrow 84-82 loss to Omaha on Saturday, , in Hamilton Gymnasium. In that contest, four Pioneers scored 18 or more points, showcasing a balanced offensive attack.
Pioneers Spreading the Scoring
The game against Omaha highlighted Denver’s ability to distribute the scoring load. Zane Nelson and Carson Johnson each contributed 19 points, while Jeremiah Burke and Logan Kinsey added 18 apiece. This marked only the second time in Denver’s Division I history that four players reached the 18-point threshold, matching a similar performance against Wyoming on November 29, 2017.
Denver’s offensive versatility is further demonstrated by the individual accomplishments of its players. Sophomore Carson Johnson leads the team with 12 games scoring 20 or more points this season, placing him tied for 24th nationally in that category. Graduate student Jeremiah Burke has also reached the 20-point mark eight times, ranking him 112th in the country. The Pioneers had three players score 20+ in their win over Oral Roberts on January 14, with Johnson scoring 33, and Burke and Zane Nelson each adding 20.
Oldham and Nelson Leading the Way
Beyond scoring, Denver boasts players excelling in efficiency. Gabe Oldham is currently ranked first in the nation in effective field-goal percentage at 75.7%, according to KenPom, 2.2 percentage points higher than the next closest player. Oldham recently had a perfect shooting performance, going 9-for-9 from the field against South Dakota on January 10, achieving a 20-point double-double while maintaining perfect accuracy.
Zane Nelson is also making his mark, currently ranking 21st in the country in KenPom Offensive Rating with a score of 116.7. Nelson is averaging 14.0 points per game in 24.2 minutes of play and shooting 49% from beyond the arc (48-98). He had strong performances in Denver’s two in-state road wins, scoring 22 points at Colorado State and 32 at Northern Colorado.
Pioneers Among Nation’s Best in Shooting
Denver’s overall offensive prowess is reflected in its national rankings. The team is currently 53rd in the country and second in the Summit League in effective field-goal percentage (55.2%). They also lead the Summit League and rank 30th nationally in free-throw percentage (77.0%), and are 18th in the country and first in the league in three-point percentage (38.4%). Denver’s scoring offense averages 83.3 points per game, placing them 55th nationally.
Carson Johnson is proving to be a reliable presence for the Pioneers, averaging 35.3 minutes per game, which ranks 18th nationally in percentage of minutes played (89.8%). He also leads the Summit League in points per game in conference matchups, averaging 22.5 points per game.
Following the game at North Dakota State, Denver will conclude its road trip on Saturday at North Dakota. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time and will also be streamed on the Summit League Network. Denver will then return home on February 12 to host South Dakota State at 7:00 p.m. MT in Hamilton Gymnasium.
Tickets for the 2025-26 season are currently available for purchase here.
