University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
Denver
PREVIEW: Bears Return Home to Host Denver in Regional Showdown Saturday
12/18/2025 10:56:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns home Saturday looking to build on its strong early-season momentum as the Bears welcome Denver to Bank of Colorado Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m., as UNC faces a Pioneer squad featuring a deep, balanced offense in the latest chapter of one of the program's longest-running regional rivalries.
BEARS VALIDATE HISTORIC START WITH STATEMENT PERFORMANCE AT NO. 19 TEXAS TECH: Northern Colorado's historic start faced its stiffest test Tuesday night on the road, as the Bears went toe-to-toe with No. 19 Texas Tech for 40 minutes before falling 101-90 inside United Supermarkets Arena.
Despite the loss, the performance stood as one of the strongest against a nationally ranked opponent in the program's Division I era. The 11-point final margin marked the second-best point differential against a ranked team in UNC's DI history, trailing only a 10-point loss to No. 16 Illinois in December 2010.
The showing reinforced that the Bears' 9-1 start was no fluke, as UNC matched a Power Four opponent's pace, physicality, and execution on its home floor.
WISNE REACHES NEW LEVEL WITH CAREER NIGHT AGAINST RANKED OPPONENT: Forward Brock Wisne delivered the best performance of his career on a national stage, pouring in a career-high 29 points on 13-of-21 shooting, while adding five assists and five rebounds against Texas Tech.
Wisne scored at all three levels and consistently answered Red Raider runs, preventing separation and keeping the Bears within striking distance throughout the game. His performance followed a stretch of steady two-way production and elevated his season averages to 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 60.7% shooting, making him one of the most efficient frontcourt scorers in the Big Sky.
BLOCH EVOLVES FROM ELITE SHOOTER TO COMPLETE FLOOR GENERAL: Graduate guard Zach Bloch continues to expand his impact beyond his nationally elite shooting numbers. Against Texas Tech, Bloch posted a career-high eight assists, orchestrating the offense while still contributing 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four made threes.
Bloch's growth as a playmaker was on full display as Northern Colorado totaled 18 assists and shot 60.0% in the first half, trailing by just five at the break. Through 11 games, Bloch ranks:
54.8% from three (1st Big Sky / 3rd NCAA)
40 made threes (1st Big Sky / 12th NCAA)
3.64 three's per game (1st Big Sky / 11th NCAA)
14.2 PPG
3.1 APG, including a career-high outing vs. Texas Tech
OFFENSE TRAVELS: BEARS SCORE WITH ANYONE, ANYWHERE: Northern Colorado's offensive efficiency held firm against one of the nation's most physical defensive programs. The Bears finished with 90 points against Texas Tech, shot over 50% from the field, and outscored the Red Raiders 17-6 in second-chance points, showcasing toughness and composure on the road.
Through 11 games, UNC owns one of the most complete offensive profiles in the Big Sky and nationally:
87.6 PPG — 1st Big Sky / 38th NCAA
50.9% FG — 2nd Big Sky / 26th NCAA
38.4% 3FG — 1st Big Sky / 32nd NCAA
19.0 assists/game — 1st Big Sky / 17th NCAA
1.60 assist-to-turnover ratio — 1st Big Sky / 42nd NCAA
DEPTH AND PHYSICALITY CONTINUE TO SHOW: Northern Colorado's interior rotation remains a steady advantage. Egan Shields, Ring Nyeri, and Wisne continue to control the glass and provide physical scoring, helping the Bears maintain a +6.9 rebounding margin while ranking among the league leaders in defensive rebounding.
Nyeri and Shields have been particularly impactful in high-leverage moments, while the Bears' ability to generate second-chance points has translated even against Power Four opponents.
CONFIDENCE BUILT, NOT LOST, IN DEFEAT: Despite the result, the Texas Tech game served as validation rather than setback. Northern Colorado trailed by just five at halftime, stayed within single digits for most of the second half, and matched the Red Raiders' physicality for 40 minutes.
The performance reinforced the Bears' resilience, composure, and belief, traits already evident in three overtime wins and a historic 9-1 start.
SMILEY'S PROGRAM CONTINUES TO ASCEND: Head coach Steve Smiley's group continues to show measurable growth on a national scale. Now just two wins shy of 100 career victories at UNC, Smiley has guided the Bears to:
Best start in program history (9-1)
Three overtime wins in a single season (program first)
One of the most competitive Division I-era performances vs. a ranked opponent
Northern Colorado's identity, efficient offense, unselfish play, and late-game poise, has now been tested and affirmed against elite competition.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS: Denver enters the matchup with a deep, experienced roster and one of the most balanced offensive attacks UNC will see this season. The Pioneers average 83.9 points per game, shooting 49.2% from the field and 38.9% from three, with six players averaging 9.5+ points per contest.
Denver plays through strong guard play and efficient shot selection, ranking among the top teams on the schedule in both three-point efficiency and overall field-goal percentage. The Pioneers are comfortable playing through multiple scoring options and punish defensive breakdowns with perimeter shooting.
The offense is led by Carson Johnson, one of the Summit League's most productive scorers, averaging 18.0 points per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 47.4% from three. Johnson is also reliable at the line (.833 FT%) and serves as Denver's primary late-clock option.
Johnson is joined in the backcourt by Jeremiah Burke, who contributes 15.6 PPG and a team-best 5.3 rebounds per game, providing a physical presence from the guard spot. Logan Kinsey adds efficiency on the wing at 12.2 PPG on 55.1% shooting, while Julius Rollins (10.0 PPG) and Shaun Wysocki (9.7 PPG) round out a versatile perimeter group capable of scoring off the bounce or as finishers.
In the frontcourt, Gabe Oldham anchors the interior, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 72.7% from the field. Oldham's presence on the glass is complemented by Zane Nelson (9.7 PPG), who provides stretch ability and shot-making from deep (.563 3FG).
Defensively, Denver allows 85.4 points per game, with opponents shooting 50.7% from the field and 43.0% from three. While the Pioneers generate pressure with active hands (60 steals), rebounding margins have been largely even, an area Northern Colorado may look to exploit given its consistent success on the glass.
With 13 games under its belt and multiple experienced starters logging heavy minutes, Denver brings shot-making, depth, and offensive balance into the matchup.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Denver leads 76-50
First Meeting: 1905-06
Most Recent Meeting: Northern Colorado 82, Denver 75 (Dec. 21, 2024 – Denver)
Current Streak: Northern Colorado W6
Northern Colorado and Denver share one of the longest-running regional series in program history, dating back to the 1905-06 season. Denver holds the overall advantage, though much of that margin was built in earlier eras.
Since December 2003, the series has tightened significantly, with the teams splitting the last 20 meetings at 10-10. The Bears have controlled recent matchups, winning six straight and six of the last 10, including a road victory in Denver last season.
Northern Colorado has also been strong at home in the series, posting a 6-4 record against the Pioneers in Greeley. Several recent matchups have been tightly contested, including an 86-82 win in 2024 and an 82-75 road win last December.
Saturday marks the latest chapter in a long-standing regional rivalry as the two programs meet again with both teams carrying offensive firepower and veteran lineups into the matchup.
UP NEXT: The Bears will enjoy a short break over Christmas before returning to the court for their last nonconference game on December 28 at CU Events Center to take on Colorado. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST with coverage available on ESPN+ and PirateRadio935.com.
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).
