University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Announce Full Schedule Release
9/1/2023 12:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Home dates with Colorado State and CSU Northridge, road tilts with Colorado and the Air Force Academy plus the Cancun Challenge highlight the 2023-24 University of Northern Colorado men's basketball non-conference schedule.
The fourth season under Head Coach Steve Smiley opens with a three-game homestand at Bank of Colorado Arena that concludes with Colorado State Nov. 14.
"We have a great non-conference schedule, starting with three-consecutive home games, including a HUGE game with Colorado State early in the season," Smiley said.
The Bears hit the road for the first time with a stop in Las Cruces, N.M., with the first game of the Cancun Challenge at New Mexico State Nov. 18. Northern Colorado faces Chicago State Nov. 21, followed by a game against Radford or Morgan State Nov. 22. After Thanksgiving, the Bears concludes the road trip at San Diego Nov. 29.
"After taking on a great field in the Cancun Challenge we turn our attention to some key in-state battles later in December vs Air Force and Colorado," Smiley said.
Northern Colorado hosts Cal State Northridge Dec.2 before embarking on a three-game road trip, with stops in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 11 against Texas A&M Commerce, Colorado in Boulder, Colorado Dec. 15, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Dec. 21.
The non-conference portion of the Bears schedule concludes with two games in the Big Sky–Summit Challenge. Northern Colorado kicks off 2024 at North Dakota Jan. 3, before Denver travels to Greeley Jan. 6.
"As we get ready for another Big Sky season, we get one more look at our team in non-conference action during the Big Sky-Summit Challenge, with a trip to North Dakota, before a home game against Denver.
The Bears open conference play Dec. 30 at home versus Northern Arizona. UNC's first road trip in Big Sky play is at Montana (Jan. 11) and Montana State (Jan. 13).
UNC returns home for a brief two-game stand versus Sacramento State (Jan.18) and Portland State (Jan. 20) and on the road at Eastern Washington (Jan. 25) and at Idaho (Jan. 27).
"The league is going to be a great challenge as always, but with so much roster movement at all of the Big Sky schools, we all have a great opportunity to make a run at the title," Smiley said. "I truly believe that!"
UNC opens February with a four-game home stand versus Idaho State (Feb. 1). The Bears host Weber State (Feb. 3), Montana State (Feb. 8), and Montana (Feb. 10). UNC returns to the road versus Portland State (Feb. 15) and Sacramento State (Feb. 17).
The Bears hosts Idaho (Feb. 22) and Eastern Washington (Feb. 24), closing out the regular season on the road at Weber State (Feb. 29), Idaho State (March 2), and Northern Arizona (March 4).
The Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship takes place March 9-13 (Saturday-Wednesday) at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The fourth season under Head Coach Steve Smiley opens with a three-game homestand at Bank of Colorado Arena that concludes with Colorado State Nov. 14.
"We have a great non-conference schedule, starting with three-consecutive home games, including a HUGE game with Colorado State early in the season," Smiley said.
The Bears hit the road for the first time with a stop in Las Cruces, N.M., with the first game of the Cancun Challenge at New Mexico State Nov. 18. Northern Colorado faces Chicago State Nov. 21, followed by a game against Radford or Morgan State Nov. 22. After Thanksgiving, the Bears concludes the road trip at San Diego Nov. 29.
"After taking on a great field in the Cancun Challenge we turn our attention to some key in-state battles later in December vs Air Force and Colorado," Smiley said.
Northern Colorado hosts Cal State Northridge Dec.2 before embarking on a three-game road trip, with stops in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 11 against Texas A&M Commerce, Colorado in Boulder, Colorado Dec. 15, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Dec. 21.
The non-conference portion of the Bears schedule concludes with two games in the Big Sky–Summit Challenge. Northern Colorado kicks off 2024 at North Dakota Jan. 3, before Denver travels to Greeley Jan. 6.
"As we get ready for another Big Sky season, we get one more look at our team in non-conference action during the Big Sky-Summit Challenge, with a trip to North Dakota, before a home game against Denver.
The Bears open conference play Dec. 30 at home versus Northern Arizona. UNC's first road trip in Big Sky play is at Montana (Jan. 11) and Montana State (Jan. 13).
UNC returns home for a brief two-game stand versus Sacramento State (Jan.18) and Portland State (Jan. 20) and on the road at Eastern Washington (Jan. 25) and at Idaho (Jan. 27).
"The league is going to be a great challenge as always, but with so much roster movement at all of the Big Sky schools, we all have a great opportunity to make a run at the title," Smiley said. "I truly believe that!"
UNC opens February with a four-game home stand versus Idaho State (Feb. 1). The Bears host Weber State (Feb. 3), Montana State (Feb. 8), and Montana (Feb. 10). UNC returns to the road versus Portland State (Feb. 15) and Sacramento State (Feb. 17).
The Bears hosts Idaho (Feb. 22) and Eastern Washington (Feb. 24), closing out the regular season on the road at Weber State (Feb. 29), Idaho State (March 2), and Northern Arizona (March 4).
The Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship takes place March 9-13 (Saturday-Wednesday) at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Head 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
