Bears, Griz Battle for Position Atop the Big Sky Thursday

Thursday, March 5

Missoula, Montana

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

Montana

Photo by: Robert Dunlap

3/4/2020 11:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Northern Colorado Notes Big Sky Notes

UNC men's basketball starts the final week of the regular season with a pivotal game against Montana

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GAME INFO
Who: Northern Colorado (20-9, 13-5 Big Sky) at Montana (18-11, 14-4 Big Sky)
When: Mar. 5, 7 pm
Where: Missoula, Mont., Dahlberg Arena
How to Follow: Pluto TV Ch. 5 37 | 1310 KFKA | Live Stats | @UNC_BearsM BB

Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado came up just short on senior night against Eastern Washington 68-64,
• Jonah Radebaugh scored 21 points and dished out seven assists in his final game at Bank of Colorado Arena.
• The Bears are a half-game behind Montana and EWU for first place in the conference.
• UNC is locked into a top 3 seed for the Big Sky Tournament.
• Northern Colorado is the top-rated Big Sky school in the NET (110) and KenPom (82).
• Montana enters Thursday's game having won seven of their last eight games.
• Northern Colorado jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in the first game between the two teams in Greeley going on to win 74-66.

Last Time Out
In front of a packed house for Senior Night, Northern Colorado came up just short against Eastern Washington 68-64. The loss snaps a five-game win streak for the Bears and moves them to 20-9 overall and 13-5 in Big Sky play.

Senior guard Jonah Radebaugh left it all out on the court Saturday playing his typical 40 minutes leading the team with 21 points and seven assists and adding in five rebounds and a steal.

Scouting the Griz
Montana sits a game ahead of UNC for first place in the Big Sky standings along side Eastern Washington. The Griz split their games last week falling at Northern Arizona by one before beating Sacramento State.

UM is led by the duo of Sayeed Pridgett and Kendal Manuel. Pridgett is averaging 19.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Manuel adds in 15.4 points.

Montana has not lost a game at home this year in Big Sky Play.

History Against Montana
Montana leads the overall series 24-11, but recently history shows the series has been very close. The Bears have won the past two games in the series and three of the last five by less than 10 points.

On This Date
Northern Colorado is 8-10 when playing on the March 4. UNC is a perfect 5-0 at home, but has struggled when on the road to a 2-7 record.

Around the Big Sky
Going into the final week of Big Sky play their is a lot to be decided including who will win the regular season championship. Eastern Washington and Montana have a one-game lead over UNC. The Eagles hosts Idaho State Thursday night.

What's Ahead?
The 2019-20 regular season comes to a close on Saturday, March 7 at Montana State. Tip-off between the Bears and Bobcats is set for 4 pm.

To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.