Metro State and Colorado School of Mines are giving Denver basketball fans something to hope for this season with the teams ranking No. 5 and 7 overall in the Division II preseason top-25.
The Metro State roadrunners are fresh off their first Elite Eight appearance since 2005 and have the luxury of four returning starters. Senior center Jonathan Morse (2011-2012 second team all-region) and junior guard Brandon Jefferson (2011-2012 all-conference) lead this 25-7 team who finished second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last season.
As for Colorado School of Mines, the Orediggers will be looking to build on their 29-3 record as they search for their third-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard Brett Green was a DIIB Super 16 selection for the Central Region but he will unfortunately miss this season with an injury.
Metro State is set to begin their season on November 9 at home against Minot State while Mines will do the same thing against the same opponent the very next day.