Feb. 5, 2010

Men's basketball 'Jacked' up for Super Bowl pre-party


RELATED CLICKS:
Northern Colorado notes | Big Sky Conference notes

IN THE NEWS:
Read Dick Monfort's plea to Northern Colorado students (UNC Mirror)

GREELEY, Colo. -- There's a big game on TV Sunday afternoon that's been circled on sports fans' calendars for months and months.

The Super Bowl will also be played.

Northern Colorado (18-5, 7-3 Big Sky) will get its second Big Sky Conference "Game of the Week" coverage in as many weeks at noon Sunday when it tips off against Northern Arizona (11-10, 5-5) at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.

The Bears (No. 11 Mid-Major Top 25) and the Lumberjacks won't quite be playing for the same stakes as the NFL's Colts and the Saints, but with just a month left in the regular season, Sunday's contest holds all kinds of importance in terms of the Big Sky title chase.

Northern Colorado earned sole possession of second place in the league last Sunday with its 74-68 victory against Montana State, and it can further solidify or better that position this weekend with a solid showing against a Northern Arizona team that has won four of its last five games and its last three road games.

The Bears can improve their home mark to 9-1 this season with a victory Sunday, can win nine home games in a single season for the first time since 2002 and just the fourth time since 1990, and earn head coach Tad Boyle a 50th career victory.

Northern Colorado can also improve to 5-6 all-time against the Lumberjacks and stay undefeated at home against NAU in Big Sky play.

GAME DETAILS
Date: Sunday, Feb. 7
Tip: 12:05 p.m. (MT)
Location: Greeley, Colo.
Venue: Butler-Hancock (2,977)
Radio: 1310 KFKA (Greeley)
Play-by-play: Troy Coverdale
Web stream: 1310kfka.com
Television: Altitude
Play-by-play: Blake Olson
Analyst: Mark Randall
Sideline: Julie Browman
Live stats: www.uncbears.com

THE GAME
Northern Colorado will get its second “Game of the Week” coverage in as many weeks on Super Bowl Sunday against Northern Arizona. Various “Super” promotions are planned.

THE SERIES
The Bears are 4-6 all-time against NAU but have never lost to the ‘Jacks at home as a member of the Big Sky. The last three meetings in Greeley have been decided by three or fewer points.

THE COACHES
Tad Boyle (49-63) is in his fourth year with Northern Colorado and fourth year overall as a head coach. Mike Adras (169-146) is in his 11th year at NAU and 11th year overall.


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