UNC Carries Program-Best Start into Road Test at No. 16 Texas Tech

Tuesday, December 16

Lubbock, Texas

6 p.m. MST | 7 p.m. CST

University of Northern Colorado

Texas Tech

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

12/14/2025 11:31:00 AM | Men's Basketball

UNC Game Notes

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. - Northern Colorado continues its historic start to the season Tuesday night, traveling to face No. 16 Texas Tech at United Supermarkets Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MST/7 p.m. CST, as the Bears enter the matchup at 9-1 overall against a 7-3 Red Raiders squad coming off a challenging nonconference slate.

BEARS OFF TO 9-1 START, BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY: Northern Colorado continued its historic opening month with an 89-87 overtime victory over South Dakota inside Bank of Colorado Arena on December 6. The win improved the Bears to 9-1 overall, officially marking the best start in program history and extending their winning streak to six games. UNC has now won three overtime games this season, becoming the first team in program history to do so in a single season. The Bears remain unbeaten at home (4-0) and have won five of their six games away from Greeley.

UNC enters the week shooting 50.0% from the field, 37.1% from three, and 77.6% from the line, just one of 10 teams in the nation to hit those marks.

ZACH BLOCH: ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP SHOOTERS: Graduate guard Zach Bloch continues to anchor one of the country's most dangerous perimeter attacks. Bloch logged 41 minutes against South Dakota, finishing with 18 points, five made threes, and four assists, providing steady offensive control throughout regulation and overtime.

Through 10 Games
50% FG
53.7% 3FG — 1st Big Sky / Top 10 NCAA
36 made threes — 1st Big Sky
3.6 threes per game — 1st Big Sky / Top 10 NCAA
13.9 PPG

Bloch's shooting gravity continues to open the floor and elevate UNC's offensive spacing.

EGAN SHIELDS STEPS UP IN CLUTCH MOMENTS: Sophomore center Egan Shields delivered one of the most impactful performances of his career against South Dakota, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, and an impressive 11-of-14 performance at the free-throw line. Shields calmly knocked down two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime and helped anchor UNC defensively in the extra period.

Shields continues to provide physicality, rim protection, and reliable scoring in high-pressure situations.

WISNE PROVIDING STEADY FRONTCOURT PRODUCTION: Forward Brock Wisne remains a consistent two-way presence for the Bears. Against South Dakota, he added eight points and three rebounds, continuing his steady play on both ends of the floor.

Season Averages
14.3 PPG
6.3 RPG
60.5% FG
30.8 MPG

Wisne's versatility allows UNC to play through the post while still maintaining floor spacing.

NYERI DELIVERS GAME-WINNER: Ring Nyeri provided the decisive moment against South Dakota, securing the game-winning tip-in with under one second remaining in overtime. He finished with eight points and four rebounds, continuing to be a high-impact presence around the rim and on the glass.

Nyeri's energy and rebounding have been instrumental during UNC's late-game success.

BENCH IMPACT MAKING A DIFFERENCE: UNC's depth again proved to be a difference-maker, as the Bears' bench outscored South Dakota's reserves 37–16. Northern Colorado continues to get meaningful production throughout its rotation, allowing the Bears to maintain pace and physicality late into games.

OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY AMONG THE BEST IN THE BIG SKY: Northern Colorado continues to separate itself statistically as one of the league's most efficient offensive units.

Team Statistical Profile
87.4 PPG — 1st Big Sky
50.3% FG — 2nd Big Sky
37.9% 3FG — 1st Big Sky
11.1 threes/game — 2nd Big Sky / Top 20 NCAA
19.0 assists/game — 1st Big Sky / Top 20 NCAA
1.60 A/TO ratio — 1st Big Sky

The Bears also lead the Big Sky in effective field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage.

REBOUNDING CONTINUES TO BE A STRENGTH: UNC enters the week with one of the strongest rebounding profiles in the conference.

+7.5 rebounding margin
28.4 defensive rebounds per game
Three players averaging 5+ rebounds

Shields, Wisne, and Nyeri form a reliable interior rotation that has helped UNC control tempo and second-chance opportunities.

DEFENSIVE GROWTH SHOWING LATE-GAME RESULTS: Northern Colorado's defensive consistency has improved throughout its six-game win streak.

72.2 PPG allowed
Held South Dakota to 2-of-10 from three
Forced key stops on three of the Coyotes' final four possessions in overtime

UNC continues to defend at its best when games tighten late.

SMILEY NEARING 100 WINS AT UNC: Head coach Steve Smiley continues to add to his legacy at Northern Colorado. With the overtime victory over South Dakota, Smiley now sits two wins shy of 100 career victories at UNC, a milestone that would further cement his place among the most successful coaches in program history.

Since taking over the Bears, Smiley has guided UNC through a period of sustained growth, postseason appearances, and a winning identity built on offensive efficiency, player development, and late-game execution. His teams have been particularly resilient this season, already posting three overtime victories and the best start (9-1) in program history, underscoring the culture and consistency established under his leadership.

BEARS SWEEP THE BIG SKY–SUMMIT LEAGUE CHALLENGE: Northern Colorado men's and women's basketball combined to deliver a perfect showing in the Big Sky–Summit League Challenge, finishing 4-0 across the two-game slate. The Bears were the only program in the Big Sky to sweep the Challenge, with both teams winning their home and road contests.

The men's team opened with a road win at Omaha before securing an overtime victory over South Dakota in Greeley, while the women's team also collected a pair of victories to complete the sweep. The combined effort highlighted the depth, competitiveness, and momentum of both programs as conference play approaches.

SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS: No. 16 Texas Tech enters the matchup at 7-3 overall, coming off a 86-93 loss to No. 17 Arkansas on Saturday. The Red Raiders average 81.4 points per game while allowing just 70.0, posting an +11.4 scoring margin against a demanding nonconference schedule that has included No. 14 Illinois and No. 1 Purdue. Tech shoots 44.3% from the field and 36.5% from three, while holding opponents to 29.4% from beyond the arc, reinforcing its reputation as a physical, defense-first program with efficient perimeter scoring.

Texas Tech features a balanced attack led by JT Toppin (20.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG), supported by guards Christian Anderson (19.1 PPG, 43.1% 3FG) and Donovan Atwell (12.0 PPG, 43.7% 3FG). The Red Raiders average 40.3 rebounds per game and force 12.4 turnovers per contest, applying consistent pressure on both ends. Tuesday's game also carries a familiar connection, as Texas Tech assistant coach Jeff Linder previously served as Northern Colorado's head coach from 2016-20, where he compiled an 80-50 record and helped elevate the Bears' program.

ALL-TIME SERIES: 0-5
First Meeting: 1970-71
Modern Era (Since 2000): 0-3
Most Recent Meeting: Texas Tech 89, Northern Colorado 64 (Nov. 29, 2024 – Lubbock, Texas)
Current Streak: L3

Northern Colorado and Texas Tech first met during the 1970-71 season, beginning an infrequent nonconference series that has been played exclusively in Lubbock. Texas Tech holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time matchup, with all meetings coming on the road for the Bears.

Since 2000, the Red Raiders have claimed all three matchups, including wins in 2005 (88-68), 2018 (93-62), and most recently in 2024 (89-64). The programs last met on Nov. 29, 2024, when Texas Tech used a strong first half to pull away for the victory. Saturday marks the next meeting between the two programs as Northern Colorado looks to secure its first win in the series.

UP NEXT: The Bears will return home to host Denver on Saturday, December 20 with tipoff set for 1 p.m. MST.

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).