University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Picked Third in Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ and Media Polls
10/22/2025 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado men's basketball has been selected third in both the Big Sky Conference preseason coaches' and media polls, the league office announced Wednesday.
The Bears are coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign in which they finished 25-10 overall and 15-3 in Big Sky play, earning a share of the regular season title. Northern Colorado looks to build upon that success under head coach Steve Smiley as it heads into the 2025-26 season with high expectations.
Montana enters the year as the preseason favorite in both polls, collecting six first-place votes from the coaches and 21 from the media after sharing the regular season crown and winning the Big Sky Tournament last spring. Portland State followed in second, returning key contributors including All-Conference honoree Terri Miller Jr. and Defensive Player of the Year Tre-Vaughn Minott.
Northern Colorado was slotted third in both polls as the Bears return a talented core from last season's title squad, aiming to remain among the league's elite and contend for another championship in 2025-26.
Idaho was selected fourth in both polls after earning its first Big Sky Tournament win since 2017 last year in Boise.
The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships will take place March 7–11 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.Montana (6) – 78
2. Portland State (3) – 72
3. Northern Colorado – 63
4. Idaho (1) – 59
T5. Eastern Washington – 40
T5. Montana State – 40
7. Sacramento State – 35
8. Idaho State – 31
9. Weber State – 22
10.Northern Arizona – 10
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1. Montana (21) – 323
2. Portland State (9) – 302
3. Northern Colorado (2) – 245
4. Idaho (2) – 231
5. Idaho State – 202
6. Montana State – 165
7. Sacramento State (1) – 143
8. Eastern Washington – 136
9. Weber State – 113
10. Northern Arizona – 61
Follow the Bears
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
The Bears are coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign in which they finished 25-10 overall and 15-3 in Big Sky play, earning a share of the regular season title. Northern Colorado looks to build upon that success under head coach Steve Smiley as it heads into the 2025-26 season with high expectations.
Montana enters the year as the preseason favorite in both polls, collecting six first-place votes from the coaches and 21 from the media after sharing the regular season crown and winning the Big Sky Tournament last spring. Portland State followed in second, returning key contributors including All-Conference honoree Terri Miller Jr. and Defensive Player of the Year Tre-Vaughn Minott.
Northern Colorado was slotted third in both polls as the Bears return a talented core from last season's title squad, aiming to remain among the league's elite and contend for another championship in 2025-26.
Idaho was selected fourth in both polls after earning its first Big Sky Tournament win since 2017 last year in Boise.
The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships will take place March 7–11 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.Montana (6) – 78
2. Portland State (3) – 72
3. Northern Colorado – 63
4. Idaho (1) – 59
T5. Eastern Washington – 40
T5. Montana State – 40
7. Sacramento State – 35
8. Idaho State – 31
9. Weber State – 22
10.Northern Arizona – 10
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1. Montana (21) – 323
2. Portland State (9) – 302
3. Northern Colorado (2) – 245
4. Idaho (2) – 231
5. Idaho State – 202
6. Montana State – 165
7. Sacramento State (1) – 143
8. Eastern Washington – 136
9. Weber State – 113
10. Northern Arizona – 61
Follow the Bears
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
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
