University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 12
Greeley, Colo.
2pm
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Montana
UNC closes out its three-game homestand looking to stay unbeaten in Big Sky play.
The preseason favorite and only unbeaten team in conference play meet Saturday when @UNC_BearsMBB hosts Montana
1/11/2019 5:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Bears and Griz came into the season as two of the top contenders for the Big Sky crown. However, they come into the first of what could be three meetings of 2019 in very different situations. UNC has started conference play with four consecutive victories and sits alone as the only unbeaten team in conference play. Montana comes into Saturday's game riding a two-game losing streak and has already matched the number of losses in Big Sky play they had all of last season.
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BEAR BITESÂ
-Â Â Jordan Davis averaged 29.5 points per game in the two wins over Idaho and Eastern Washington and won Big Sky Player of the Week for the second-straight week and third time this season.
-Â Â With a season average of 25.2, Davis is sixth in the nation in scoring.
-Â Â UNC has made more three-pointers than any other BSC team, which has helped them become the second highest scoring team in the league.
-Â Â They boast the best scoring margin in the conference at nearly 10 points per.
-Â Â This is the first time since 2013-14 UNC is 4-0 in BSC play and just the third time overall.
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UNC and Montana are tied for the most overall wins by a Big Sky team with 10, but UM comes into play in fourth place and two games out of first.
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GRIZ NOTES
-Â Â Montana was the preseason favorite in both the coaches and media polls.
-Â Â UM has four players who average double figures, but are middle of the pack in scoring offense at just 75 points per game.
-Â Â Ahmaad Rorie leads the Griz at 15ppg.
-Â Â Micheal Oguine is averaging close to 14. Sayeed Pridgett checks in at 11.7 per.
-Â Â Jamar Akoh who was third team all-conference last season has only played in nine games this season but is averaging 16 points a game.
-Â Â Montana is second in the conference in points allowed per game.
For the first time, this season UNC takes on a team who they have a number of common opponents with.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
-Â Â Both teams handled Incarnate Word in the non-conference.
-Â Â In Big Sky play each team has beaten Sacramento State.
-Â Â UNC went to Portland and beat the Viks, but PSU made the trip to Missoula and knocked off the Griz.
-Â Â EWU went home following their loss in Greeley and gave Montana its second loss of the conference season on Thursday night.
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SERIES HISTORY
-Â Â UM owns a 12-4 lead in the series.
-Â Â The Griz have won two straight.
-Â Â That streak started after Jeff Linder picked up his lone win in the series.
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Saturday is a Gold Out so fans are encouraged to wear Gold in support of UNC in its game vs. Montana that tips at 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballUNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 3)
Tuesday, March 03
Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker and Ciara Piffarerio Press Conference vs Montana
Tuesday, March 03
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Feb. 24)
Tuesday, February 24
