Greeley’s Colorado Cougars Set to Take on Current & Former Denver Nuggets This Sunday

Things seem to be moving along very smoothly for the newest basketball team in Northern Colorado. The Colorado Cougars are the new pro basketball team (American Basketball Association, or ABA) in Greeley. Just a couple weeks ago owner Patrick Kelly announced the inaugural roster for the Cougars, and last week the team got a big surprise. The Cougars will play their first ever game, and exhibition, against some current and former Denver Nuggets in the Colorado All-Stars.

Originally the team was not scheduled to play a game until November 5th when the made their regular season debut in Colorado Springs, but that all changed last week when the Cougars agreed to take on current Nugget Andre Miller and two former Nuggets in Anthony Carter and Earl Boykins. The pre-season exhibition affair will benefit University of Northern Colorado Athletics, and will be held Sunday at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion on the UNC campus in Greeley.

The Cougars will have to over come some early season adversity as the recently hired head coach, Karin Nichols, stepped down last week due to unknown personal reasons. Owner Patrick Kelly has left the door open, at least temporarily for Nichols to return choosing to name assistant coach Lance Elmore interim head coach for now. "This is a tremendous blow to our team and our entire organization," Kelly said, "Karin is a true professional in every sense of the word, a great coach and an even better person. She has concerns that need her immediate attention and she will be sorely missed." Kelly goes on to ask for everyone to respect her privacy in regards to this matter. Nichols, who has a "Sweet 16" appearance on her resume was the only female head coach in the ABA.

Tickets for the Cougars Sunday showdown with the Colorado All-Stars and all home games including the regular season home opener on November 11th are available here.

Not familiar with the ABA? Watch this video!