University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
Colorado
PREVIEW: Bears Visit Boulder for In-State Showdown at Colorado
12/26/2025 4:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado men's basketball (9-3) continues its nonconference slate Friday, December 28, traveling to Boulder, Colo., to face Colorado (10-2) inside the CU Events Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. MT, as the Bears take on a Big 12 opponent in an in-state matchup that adds another Power Four test to UNC's early-season schedule.
BEARS CONTINUE TO PROVE IDENTITY THROUGH EARLY-SEASON TESTS: Northern Colorado's demanding nonconference slate continued Saturday afternoon inside Bank of Colorado Arena, as the Bears battled Denver for 40 minutes before dropping an 86-79 decision.
Now 9-3 overall, UNC has faced a stretch that includes Power Four competition, road environments, overtime games, and experienced mid-major opponents: tests that continue to shape the strongest start in the program's Division I era. Despite the result, the Bears once again showed their defining traits: efficiency, physicality, and the ability to control large stretches of the game against quality opponents.
WISNE CONTINUES ELITE PRODUCTION WITH BACK-TO-BACK 25+ POINT EFFORTS: Senior forward Brock Wisne continued his breakout season with another dominant performance, leading UNC with 27 points on 13-of-19 shooting against Denver.
Wisne followed his career-high 29-point outing at Texas Tech with his second straight game of 25+ points, scoring efficiently around the rim and generating offense in traffic. Through 11 games, Wisne is averaging 16.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, shooting 61.9% from the field, ranking among the most efficient frontcourt scorers in the Big Sky.
NYERI EMERGES ON THE GLASS WITH CAREER FIRST DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Ring Nyeri delivered the strongest rebounding performance of his career, posting his first career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Nyeri was a key factor in UNC's interior control, helping the Bears finish with clear advantages in points in the paint (58-40) and second-chance points (14-5). His activity on both ends continues to anchor Northern Colorado's frontcourt identity and rebounding edge.
BALANCED SUPPORT CONTINUES TO DEFINE UNC'S ATTACK: Northern Colorado again received multi-positional contributions across the lineup:
Ariik Mawien: 13 points, 6 rebounds
Vincent Delano: 11 points
Frontcourt rotations consistently generated extra possessions and interior scoring opportunities
UNC finished the game shooting 52.6% from the field, reinforcing a season-long trend of offensive efficiency even in tightly contested games.
OFFENSIVE PROFILE REMAINS AMONG THE NATION'S MOST COMPLETE: Through 12 games, Northern Colorado continues to rank among conference and national leaders across multiple offensive categories:
86.9 PPG
50.7% FG
37.1% 3FG
18.2 assists per game
+7.1 rebounding margin
The Bears' ability to score efficiently inside, generate open perimeter looks, and create second-chance points has translated consistently regardless of opponent or venue.
LATE-GAME EXECUTION A CONTINUED POINT OF GROWTH: Saturday's contest featured 17 ties and five lead changes, with UNC building a second-half lead before Denver closed the game at the free-throw line (18-of-20 FT).
Northern Colorado cut the margin to 81-79 with 1:24 remaining, but the Pioneers answered on the ensuing possession. The Bears continue to gain valuable late-game experience following three overtime wins earlier this season and multiple games decided in the final minutes.
PROGRAM FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO SHOW UNDER SMILEY: Head coach Steve Smiley's group has now navigated:
A 9-3 nonconference record
Power Four competition on the road
Multiple overtime and one-possession games
Consistent offensive efficiency against varied defensive styles
Northern Colorado's identity, efficient offense, unselfish ball movement, interior toughness, and confidence late, has remained intact through one of the most challenging early schedules in recent program history.
SCOUTING THE BUFFALOES: Colorado enters the matchup at 10-2 overall, having posted one of the most efficient offensive starts in the Big 12. The Buffaloes average 86.3 points per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 38.4% from three, pairing shot efficiency with balance across the lineup.
Colorado features five players averaging double figures and excels at attacking from multiple levels. The Buffaloes rank among the nation's better teams in ball movement (17.1 assists per game) while limiting mistakes (10.4 turnovers per game, 1.6 A/TO ratio).
Isaiah Johnson (14.8 PPG) – A dynamic scoring guard who leads the team in scoring while shooting 55.1% FG and 44.4% from three. Johnson is also effective getting to the line (79.0%) and creating late-clock offense.
Sebastian Rancik (13.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG) – A versatile forward who can stretch the floor (37.8% 3FG) and rebound at a high level. Rancik also provides rim protection and physicality inside.
Barrington Hargress (13.0 PPG) – One of Colorado's most efficient scorers, shooting 58.3% from the field and an impressive 62.5% from three, while serving as a primary playmaker (4.9 APG).
Bangot Dak (11.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG) – Colorado's leading rebounder and interior presence, anchoring the glass and providing rim protection (20 blocks).
Alon Michaeli (10.4 PPG) – A steady contributor off the wing with size, shooting 40.9% from three and contributing on the boards.
Colorado is comfortable playing at pace and punishes defensive breakdowns with perimeter shooting. The Buffaloes shoot 75.2% at the free-throw line, convert nearly 19 free throws per game, and hold a +5.3 rebounding margin. Defensively, they force opponents into contested shots while holding foes to 44.9% shooting.
Northern Colorado's success inside and on the glass will be tested against a Buffaloes lineup that combines shooting efficiency with physical rebounding and depth.
Overall Series: 18-24
First Meeting: 1917-18
Most Recent Meeting: Nov. 8, 2024 (Colorado 90, Northern Colorado 88 (2OT) – Boulder)
Modern Series (Since Jan. 10, 2003)
Colorado leads 9-0
All nine meetings played in Boulder
Six of the nine games decided by 15 points or fewer, including last season's two-point contest in double overtime.
UP NEXT: Northern Colorado opens Big Sky Conference play on the road to ring in the new year, starting Thursday, Jan. 1, at Montana State inside Worthington Arena in Bozeman, Mont. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST, with coverage available on ESPN+ and Pirate Radio.
The Bears will then head west to face Montana on Saturday, Jan. 3, squaring off with the Grizzlies at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula, Mont. Game time is set for 4 p.m. MST, with the contest also airing on ESPN+ and Pirate Radio.
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).
