University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, January 11
Greeley, Colo.
7pm
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Weber State University
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Preview: @UNCO_MBB Start Three-Game Homestand Thursday vs @WeberStateMBB
1/10/2018 1:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Northern Colorado men's basketball begins a three-game homestand by hosting Weber State Thursday night.
Greeley, Colo.—The Northern Colorado men come home for the first time in the New Year after a couple of tough road losses to Montana State and Montana. The Bears welcome a very dangerous Weber State team to the Bank Thursday night.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm and will be broadcast on Pluto channel 241 and locally on CET. As always, you can listen to 1310 KFKA and follow live stats at UNCBears.com
Opening Tip
Weber State and Northern Colorado have only been playing since the Bears entered the Big Sky Conference during the 2006-07 season. The Wildcats lead the overall series 17-5 and have won the last four contests between the two schools. UNC's last win was January 31, 2015, in Greeley, 71-57.
Record-Book Watch
Jordan Davis passed Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) and Dennis Colson (1965-68) to move into 14th all-time points in UNC history. JD now only needs 20 points to pass Tate Unruh (2009-2014) for 13th in the record books. At this pace, the Las Vegas native could finish the season fifth on the list with one season remaining.
Last Time Out
A furious comeback fell short in the team's last game at Montana. UNC trailed by 21 in the second half and slowly made its way back closing the lead to six late in the game. Jonah Radebaugh, Andre Spight and Davis all landed 3s in the battle back. Jamar Akoh was just too much for the Bears as he scored 34 points in the Grizzlies win.
Last Time vs Weber State
Northern Colorado held a late lead over Weber State but the Wildcats were able to overcome the deficit and squeak out the win at home, 69-63. Four current Bears combined for 53 of UNC's 63 points. Davis led the way for the Bears with 21 points.
Bear Tracks
• UNC heads into the weekend matchups third in blocked shots per game in the Big Sky (4.1 bpg). They have totaled 69 swats, tied with Portland State for the overall blocks lead. Jalen Sanders is the best at rejections for UNC and places third for individual blocks per game in the Big Sky with 1.5.
• The Bears have the second-best defensive rebounding average for the conference. The team pulls down 27.7 defensive boards per contest. Tanner Morgan is the best in this category for UNC as he grabs almost five per 40 minutes. Morgan sits seventh individually on defensive boards.
• As you watch this game, keep your eye on the 3-point line. Northern Colorado is 20th in the nation in 3-point attempts and 37th for 3s made in the nation. The Bears make 9.1 3-pointers per game and attempt 26.7 a game. Andre Spight makes three of those nine per game, ranking second in the Big Sky and 16th nationally.
• Northern Colorado is graced with two of the top ten scorers in the conference with Spight in fifth (18.9 ppg) and Jordan Davis sits at ninth scoring 17.1 per game.
Scouting Weber State
• Randy Rahe enters his 12th as the head coach of the Weber State men's basketball program. Rahe is Weber State's all-time winningest coach and is the Big Sky Conference's career leader in conference wins. In his 11 seasons at Weber State, Rahe has led the Wildcats to five Big Sky titles and nine postseason tournament appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He is also the first coach in Big Sky Conference history to be named conference Coach of the Year four times and has coached six Big Sky MVP's in his 11 seasons at Weber State. He has also had two players drafted in the NBA, including two-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.
• The Wildcats have a super sophomore in Jerrick Harding. Harding is the Big Sky-leading scorer as he averages 21.5 points per game this season. The Wichita, Kansas native has compiled three 30+ scoring games and six games over 20 points. He shots the ball at an astounding 56.6 percent and is the best free throw shooter in the league (88.7%).
• WSU is second best in two very important categories. Scoring offense and scoring defense. The Wildcats put up 79.1 ppg and hold their opponents to 66.2 ppg. This 12.9 margin of victory is first in the conference and 36th nationally.
• If the game is close, you can't foul WSU late, they rank second in the Big Sky for free-throw percentage at 75.5 percent and 37th nationally
• Weber State is one of the most efficient field-goal shooting teams in the nation. WSU averages 51.3 percent from the field. They are eighth nationally in FG percentage and are trailing Michigan State, who is in first at 53.3 percent by just two percent.
• Northern Colorado loves to shoot the three and in the game vs WSU, it might be a little difficult since they are second in the Big Sky and ninth nationally in 3-point percentage defense. Opponents are only shooting 29.4 percent from deep compared to the Bears' average of 33.9 percent.
• The Wildcats are also second in assists, assist to turnover ratio and 3-point field goal percentage in the league.
• If you get a big lead, don't take your foot off the gas because WSU has outscored its opponents by 123 points in the second half.
• Their only weak point seems to be on the offensive glass. They only get second chances 5.8 times per game and have only pulled down 87 offensive boards all year. The Bears have almost doubled that with 157 offensive rebounds.
What's Next
UNC's three-game homestand continues on Saturday when Idaho State comes to town. Tipoff between the Bears and Bengals is set for 2 pm. Northern Colorado is not just welcoming ISU to town, but also some special guests from the Colorado Rockies.
Fans who attend the free Colorado Rockies Caravan in the Campus Recreation Center from 1-2pm can pick up a coupon good for $5 tickets to the basketball game plus fees. This offer is open only those who attend the Caravan and fans need the physical coupon to redeem the deal. Fans at the game will have a chance to compete in contests against the Rockies to win autographed items through halftime.
Tickets to the game and all UNC Athletic events can purchased at the UNC Box Office, open from 10 am – 6 pm, by calling 970-351-4849 or by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @unco_mbb.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm and will be broadcast on Pluto channel 241 and locally on CET. As always, you can listen to 1310 KFKA and follow live stats at UNCBears.com
Opening Tip
Weber State and Northern Colorado have only been playing since the Bears entered the Big Sky Conference during the 2006-07 season. The Wildcats lead the overall series 17-5 and have won the last four contests between the two schools. UNC's last win was January 31, 2015, in Greeley, 71-57.
Record-Book Watch
Jordan Davis passed Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) and Dennis Colson (1965-68) to move into 14th all-time points in UNC history. JD now only needs 20 points to pass Tate Unruh (2009-2014) for 13th in the record books. At this pace, the Las Vegas native could finish the season fifth on the list with one season remaining.
Last Time Out
A furious comeback fell short in the team's last game at Montana. UNC trailed by 21 in the second half and slowly made its way back closing the lead to six late in the game. Jonah Radebaugh, Andre Spight and Davis all landed 3s in the battle back. Jamar Akoh was just too much for the Bears as he scored 34 points in the Grizzlies win.
Last Time vs Weber State
Northern Colorado held a late lead over Weber State but the Wildcats were able to overcome the deficit and squeak out the win at home, 69-63. Four current Bears combined for 53 of UNC's 63 points. Davis led the way for the Bears with 21 points.
Bear Tracks
• UNC heads into the weekend matchups third in blocked shots per game in the Big Sky (4.1 bpg). They have totaled 69 swats, tied with Portland State for the overall blocks lead. Jalen Sanders is the best at rejections for UNC and places third for individual blocks per game in the Big Sky with 1.5.
• The Bears have the second-best defensive rebounding average for the conference. The team pulls down 27.7 defensive boards per contest. Tanner Morgan is the best in this category for UNC as he grabs almost five per 40 minutes. Morgan sits seventh individually on defensive boards.
• As you watch this game, keep your eye on the 3-point line. Northern Colorado is 20th in the nation in 3-point attempts and 37th for 3s made in the nation. The Bears make 9.1 3-pointers per game and attempt 26.7 a game. Andre Spight makes three of those nine per game, ranking second in the Big Sky and 16th nationally.
• Northern Colorado is graced with two of the top ten scorers in the conference with Spight in fifth (18.9 ppg) and Jordan Davis sits at ninth scoring 17.1 per game.
Scouting Weber State
• Randy Rahe enters his 12th as the head coach of the Weber State men's basketball program. Rahe is Weber State's all-time winningest coach and is the Big Sky Conference's career leader in conference wins. In his 11 seasons at Weber State, Rahe has led the Wildcats to five Big Sky titles and nine postseason tournament appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He is also the first coach in Big Sky Conference history to be named conference Coach of the Year four times and has coached six Big Sky MVP's in his 11 seasons at Weber State. He has also had two players drafted in the NBA, including two-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.
• The Wildcats have a super sophomore in Jerrick Harding. Harding is the Big Sky-leading scorer as he averages 21.5 points per game this season. The Wichita, Kansas native has compiled three 30+ scoring games and six games over 20 points. He shots the ball at an astounding 56.6 percent and is the best free throw shooter in the league (88.7%).
• WSU is second best in two very important categories. Scoring offense and scoring defense. The Wildcats put up 79.1 ppg and hold their opponents to 66.2 ppg. This 12.9 margin of victory is first in the conference and 36th nationally.
• If the game is close, you can't foul WSU late, they rank second in the Big Sky for free-throw percentage at 75.5 percent and 37th nationally
• Weber State is one of the most efficient field-goal shooting teams in the nation. WSU averages 51.3 percent from the field. They are eighth nationally in FG percentage and are trailing Michigan State, who is in first at 53.3 percent by just two percent.
• Northern Colorado loves to shoot the three and in the game vs WSU, it might be a little difficult since they are second in the Big Sky and ninth nationally in 3-point percentage defense. Opponents are only shooting 29.4 percent from deep compared to the Bears' average of 33.9 percent.
• The Wildcats are also second in assists, assist to turnover ratio and 3-point field goal percentage in the league.
• If you get a big lead, don't take your foot off the gas because WSU has outscored its opponents by 123 points in the second half.
• Their only weak point seems to be on the offensive glass. They only get second chances 5.8 times per game and have only pulled down 87 offensive boards all year. The Bears have almost doubled that with 157 offensive rebounds.
What's Next
UNC's three-game homestand continues on Saturday when Idaho State comes to town. Tipoff between the Bears and Bengals is set for 2 pm. Northern Colorado is not just welcoming ISU to town, but also some special guests from the Colorado Rockies.
Fans who attend the free Colorado Rockies Caravan in the Campus Recreation Center from 1-2pm can pick up a coupon good for $5 tickets to the basketball game plus fees. This offer is open only those who attend the Caravan and fans need the physical coupon to redeem the deal. Fans at the game will have a chance to compete in contests against the Rockies to win autographed items through halftime.
Tickets to the game and all UNC Athletic events can purchased at the UNC Box Office, open from 10 am – 6 pm, by calling 970-351-4849 or by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @unco_mbb.
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