University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, March 12
Boise, Idaho
6 pm
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Montana State
Photo by: Thomas Hoffman
Men's Basketball Faces Montana State for Big Sky Title
3/12/2022 10:06:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball looks to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament
BOISE, Idaho – Leave it all out there. Northern Colorado men's basketball is 40 minutes away from punching its ticket to the Big Dance. The Bears take on Montana State Saturday night at 6 pm in the Big Sky Championship game. Bear fans in Greeley can head to the GOAT Sports Bar
Opening Tip
- Northern Colorado had a strong all-around effort in an 86-79 win over Portland State in the semifinals.
- This is UNC's second appearance in the Big Sky title game. The Bears won it in 2011, but later had it removed due to NCAA violations.
- Daylen Kountz scored a career-high 36 points in the semifinals against PSU. He earned the Big Sky's scoring title for 2021-22 and now has scored 700 points on the year. He is averaging 21.2 points per game and ranking 10th in the nation. In Big Sky play he averaged 21.9 ppg. He has 20 20-plus points per game.
- Matt Johnson II scored eight points and led the team with three assists Friday. Johnson II ranks 324th in the NCAA averaging 14.1 ppg.
- Dru Kuxhausen leads the Big Sky for three's per game (3.00) and second for three-point field goal percentage (42.5%). That ranks him in the top 25 nationally as well.
- The Bears are averaging 78.6 points per game to lead the Big Sky and 26th in the nation.
- Northern Colorado leads the Big Sky in both field goal percentage (47.9%) and three-point field goal shooting (38.6%). They rank in the top 30 in both categories in the nation.
- Northern Colorado and Montana State split their games this season defending their home courts. Both games were decided by two points.
- Bodie Hume is approaching a couple of career milestones in made threes and points scored. He needs two three-pointers to become the program's all-time leader and is seven points away from cracking UNC's top 5 for career scoring.
Scouting the Bobcats
The Big Sky regular season champions survived and advanced on Friday night with a 69-66 win over Weber State.
MSU has the Big Sky's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in Jubrile Belo who is averaging 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Guard Xavier Bishop leads the team in scoring with 13.8 ppg and dishes out 4.2 assists a game.
The Bobcats squeaked past UNC just a week again making a half court shot as time expired for a 87-85 win.
What's Ahead
A win and the Bears are dancing! UNC would find out where they play in the NCAA Tournament at 4 pm MT on the NCAA Selection Show.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Opening Tip
- Northern Colorado had a strong all-around effort in an 86-79 win over Portland State in the semifinals.
- This is UNC's second appearance in the Big Sky title game. The Bears won it in 2011, but later had it removed due to NCAA violations.
- Daylen Kountz scored a career-high 36 points in the semifinals against PSU. He earned the Big Sky's scoring title for 2021-22 and now has scored 700 points on the year. He is averaging 21.2 points per game and ranking 10th in the nation. In Big Sky play he averaged 21.9 ppg. He has 20 20-plus points per game.
- Matt Johnson II scored eight points and led the team with three assists Friday. Johnson II ranks 324th in the NCAA averaging 14.1 ppg.
- Dru Kuxhausen leads the Big Sky for three's per game (3.00) and second for three-point field goal percentage (42.5%). That ranks him in the top 25 nationally as well.
- The Bears are averaging 78.6 points per game to lead the Big Sky and 26th in the nation.
- Northern Colorado leads the Big Sky in both field goal percentage (47.9%) and three-point field goal shooting (38.6%). They rank in the top 30 in both categories in the nation.
- Northern Colorado and Montana State split their games this season defending their home courts. Both games were decided by two points.
- Bodie Hume is approaching a couple of career milestones in made threes and points scored. He needs two three-pointers to become the program's all-time leader and is seven points away from cracking UNC's top 5 for career scoring.
Scouting the Bobcats
The Big Sky regular season champions survived and advanced on Friday night with a 69-66 win over Weber State.
MSU has the Big Sky's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in Jubrile Belo who is averaging 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Guard Xavier Bishop leads the team in scoring with 13.8 ppg and dishes out 4.2 assists a game.
The Bobcats squeaked past UNC just a week again making a half court shot as time expired for a 87-85 win.
What's Ahead
A win and the Bears are dancing! UNC would find out where they play in the NCAA Tournament at 4 pm MT on the NCAA Selection Show.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballHead Coach Smiley, Jaron Rillie, Zach Bloch, and Isaiah Hawthorne Post Game Press Conference v Idaho
Sunday, February 23
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Jaron Rillie, and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs E Washington
Friday, February 21
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker, and Jaron Rillie Post Game Press Conference vs Montana State
Sunday, February 09
Langston Reynolds and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs NAU
Saturday, February 08
