University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, November 3
Greeley, Colo.
7:30 p.m. MST
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Colorado College
PREVIEW: Bears Open 2025-26 Campaign Monday Night Against Colorado College
10/31/2025 5:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – The Northern Colorado men's basketball team is set to take the floor at Bank of Colorado Arena for the first time in the 2025-26 season Monday as it hosts the Colorado College Tigers. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MST.
Fans can watch Monday's game on ESPN+ and listen from anywhere on PirateRadio935.com.
COMING OFF A HISTORIC SEASON: Northern Colorado opens the 2025-26 campaign fresh off one of the best years in program history. The Bears went 25-10, claiming a share of the Big Sky regular season championship and earning their first-ever NIT berth. The 25 wins marked the second-most in school history, while their .714 winning percentage ranked ninth all-time and second in the Division I era.
THE NATION'S MOST EFFICIENT OFFENSE RETURNS: UNC led the nation in field goal percentage (50.7%) last season and ranked among the top 50 nationally in eight categories, including 4th in effective field goal percentage (58%), 19th in three-point percentage (38%), and 30th in scoring offense (80.6 ppg). The Bears also led the Big Sky in assists (15.8 per game) and scoring margin (+7.9), showcasing one of the country's most balanced and dynamic attacks.
VETERAN CORE BACK IN GREELEY: The Bears return a strong nucleus from last season's championship squad, including Quinn Denker, Zach Bloch, and Brock Wisne. Denker enters the year as one of UNC's most experienced leaders, while Bloch anchors the defense after earning All-Big Sky Defensive Team honors in 2024-25.
LEADERSHIP UNDER STEVE SMILEY: Now in his sixth season, head coach Steve Smiley continues to raise the standard in Greeley. Smiley is the winningest coach in Northern Colorado's Division I era, having guided the Bears to four postseason appearances in five seasons and a program-record eight postseason victories. His teams have produced 15 professional players and are known for their efficient, team-oriented style.
BUILDING ON BIG SKY DOMINANCE: The Bears matched a program-best 15 Big Sky wins last season and reached the Big Sky Championship Game for the third time under Smiley. UNC has now finished top three in the league in scoring offense in four of the last five years and enters 2025-26 as one of the favorites to contend for another conference title.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Colorado College was picked to finish second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the team announced last week. The Tigers return senior Asher Nofziger, an All-SCAC Second Team honoree, who averaged 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season.Head coach Jeff Conarroe enters his sixth season at the helm with new assistant coach Cam McKinney and returning assistant coach Derrick Rogers.
THE SERIES: Northern Colorado owns a 75-39 advantage in the all-time series against Colorado College, which dates back to 1918.
The programs have met nine times since the series renewed in 2004, with UNC holding a perfect 9-0 record in that span.
The Bears have won each of those contests by at least 18 points, including a dominant 126-56 victory on Nov. 9, 2018, the largest margin in the modern series.
The most recent matchup came on Nov. 4, 2024, when UNC earned a 75-55 win in Greeley to extend its streak to nine straight victories.
Northern Colorado has averaged 91.0 points per game across those nine matchups, while limiting the Tigers to 49.3 points per game.
The first meeting of the modern era came on Jan. 29, 2004, with the Bears earning a 73-50 home win.
IN THE POLLS: Northern Colorado was slotted third in both Big Sky Coaches' and Media 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.
UP NEXT: The Bears are back at home on Friday, November 7 at 6 p.m. MDT vs Colorado Christian.
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).
Fans can watch Monday's game on ESPN+ and listen from anywhere on PirateRadio935.com.
COMING OFF A HISTORIC SEASON: Northern Colorado opens the 2025-26 campaign fresh off one of the best years in program history. The Bears went 25-10, claiming a share of the Big Sky regular season championship and earning their first-ever NIT berth. The 25 wins marked the second-most in school history, while their .714 winning percentage ranked ninth all-time and second in the Division I era.
THE NATION'S MOST EFFICIENT OFFENSE RETURNS: UNC led the nation in field goal percentage (50.7%) last season and ranked among the top 50 nationally in eight categories, including 4th in effective field goal percentage (58%), 19th in three-point percentage (38%), and 30th in scoring offense (80.6 ppg). The Bears also led the Big Sky in assists (15.8 per game) and scoring margin (+7.9), showcasing one of the country's most balanced and dynamic attacks.
VETERAN CORE BACK IN GREELEY: The Bears return a strong nucleus from last season's championship squad, including Quinn Denker, Zach Bloch, and Brock Wisne. Denker enters the year as one of UNC's most experienced leaders, while Bloch anchors the defense after earning All-Big Sky Defensive Team honors in 2024-25.
LEADERSHIP UNDER STEVE SMILEY: Now in his sixth season, head coach Steve Smiley continues to raise the standard in Greeley. Smiley is the winningest coach in Northern Colorado's Division I era, having guided the Bears to four postseason appearances in five seasons and a program-record eight postseason victories. His teams have produced 15 professional players and are known for their efficient, team-oriented style.
BUILDING ON BIG SKY DOMINANCE: The Bears matched a program-best 15 Big Sky wins last season and reached the Big Sky Championship Game for the third time under Smiley. UNC has now finished top three in the league in scoring offense in four of the last five years and enters 2025-26 as one of the favorites to contend for another conference title.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Colorado College was picked to finish second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the team announced last week. The Tigers return senior Asher Nofziger, an All-SCAC Second Team honoree, who averaged 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season.Head coach Jeff Conarroe enters his sixth season at the helm with new assistant coach Cam McKinney and returning assistant coach Derrick Rogers.
THE SERIES: Northern Colorado owns a 75-39 advantage in the all-time series against Colorado College, which dates back to 1918.
The programs have met nine times since the series renewed in 2004, with UNC holding a perfect 9-0 record in that span.
The Bears have won each of those contests by at least 18 points, including a dominant 126-56 victory on Nov. 9, 2018, the largest margin in the modern series.
The most recent matchup came on Nov. 4, 2024, when UNC earned a 75-55 win in Greeley to extend its streak to nine straight victories.
Northern Colorado has averaged 91.0 points per game across those nine matchups, while limiting the Tigers to 49.3 points per game.
The first meeting of the modern era came on Jan. 29, 2004, with the Bears earning a 73-50 home win.
IN THE POLLS: Northern Colorado was slotted third in both Big Sky Coaches' and Media 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.
UP NEXT: The Bears are back at home on Friday, November 7 at 6 p.m. MDT vs Colorado Christian.
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).
Players Mentioned
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Head Coach Steve Smiley, Jaron Rillie, and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs E Washington
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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
