PREVIEW: UNC Tips Off Conference Play on the Road in Montana

GREELEY, Colo. - Northern Colorado begins Big Sky Conference play with a challenging road swing through the state of Montana, opening league action Thursday, Jan. 1, at Montana State inside Worthington Arena in Bozeman before traveling west to face the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. Both games will be televised on ESPN+ with radio coverage on Pirate Radio, as the Bears begin conference play away from home against two of the league's most demanding environments.

IDENTITY FORGED THROUGH EARLY TESTS: Northern Colorado enters conference play with a 10-3 overall record, closing nonconference action with the best nonconference mark in the program's Division I era. The Bears have navigated a schedule that included Power Four competition, hostile road environments, overtime games, and experienced mid-major opponents: a stretch that has accelerated growth and solidified identity early in the season.

Through 13 games, UNC has consistently shown three defining traits: shot efficiency, interior physicality, and offensive balance, translating across opponents and venues. The Bears rank first in the Big Sky in both scoring offense and scoring margin and sit among the league's most efficient teams nationally.

OFFENSIVE IDENTITY: EFFICIENCY OVER VOLUME: Northern Colorado's offense profiles as one of the most complete units in the conference, combining shot quality, spacing, and ball movement rather than relying on isolation or pace alone.

Team rankings through games played:
Scoring Offense: 86.8 PPG (46th nationally, 1st Big Sky)
Field Goal Percentage: 50.8% (24th nationally, 1st Big Sky)
Effective FG Percentage: .594 (14th nationally, 1st Big Sky)
Three-Point Percentage: 38.0% (33rd nationally, 1st Big Sky)
Assists Per Game: 18.1 (41st nationally, 1st Big Sky)

UNC creates advantages inside before kicking out to shooters, ranking top-30 nationally in made three-pointers per game while maintaining elite efficiency rather than high-volume attempts.

BALL SECURITY & DECISION-MAKING: The Bears' guard play drives both pace control and shot creation. Northern Colorado leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.56) and assists per game, emphasizing structured offense and late-clock execution.

UNC is comfortable playing through full possessions and remains poised late in games, an experience gained through multiple one-possession finishes and overtime contests earlier this season.

Q-CONTROL: QUINN DENKER, ENGINE OF THE OFFENSE: Graduate guard Quinn Denker serves as the connective piece of Northern Colorado's offense, balancing scoring, distribution, and game management.

Denker national & conference context:
18.7 PPG (59th nationally, 1st Big Sky)
6.3 APG (18th nationally, 1st Big Sky)
69 Assists (45^th nationally, 2nd Big Sky)

Denker has earned three Big Sky Player of the Week honors this season, becoming the third Bear to accomplish the feat in as many seasons, joining Langston Reynolds (three; 2024-25) and Saint Thomas (six; 2023-24). He was also named Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week, reflecting his national visibility among mid-major guards.

FRONTCOURT PROFILE: PHYSICALITY + EFFICIENCY: Northern Colorado's frontcourt consistently creates margin inside, anchored by Brock Wisne and Ring Nyeri, with versatile contributions from Egan Shields.

Brock Wisne
16.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG
59.6% FG (36th nationally, 3rd Big Sky)
High usage with elite efficiency; ranks among Big Sky leaders in total field goals made

Ring Nyeri
Team's top rebounder (75 total)
Defensive anchor inside; creates second-chance opportunities and rim presence
Among Big Sky leaders in defensive rebounding rate

UNC ranks top-60 nationally in rebounding margin (+6.7), a number that jumps off when paired with its shooting efficiency

SHOOTING & SPACING - PERIMETER BALANCE: Northern Colorado does not rely on a single shooter to stretch the floor.

Key perimeter pieces:
Zach Bloch: 51.9% from three (4th nationally, 1st Big Sky), 3.23 threes per game (26th nationally, 1st Big Sky), 42 total 3-point FGM (22nd nationally, 1st Big Sky)

Ibu Yamazaki: Secondary scoring and spot-up shooting threat

Multiple guards and forwards capable of attacking closeouts

UNC ranks top-30 nationally in three-pointers made per game and second in the Big Sky, allowing the offense to maintain spacing even during frontcourt-heavy stretches.

GAME FLOW TRENDS & STYLE
Comfortable playing in the mid-80s but capable of grinding late
Strong first-half efficiency; does not rely on fast-break scoring
Wins interior battles rather than forcing tempo
Late-game poise developed through multiple one-possession games

While UNC does not force high turnover numbers defensively, it minimizes mistakes offensively and leans on shot selection and rebounding to control possessions.

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PREVIEW: BY THE NUMBERS: As conference play begins, Northern Colorado enters Big Sky action with the league's most efficient statistical profile, separating itself through balance rather than pace.

Through nonconference play, the Bears rank first in the Big Sky in scoring offense (86.8 PPG), field goal percentage (50.8%), effective FG% (.594), assists per game (18.1), and scoring margin (+10.7), while also placing top-50 nationally in each category.

UNC's offensive efficiency translates across opponents and venues, pairing elite shooting with ball security. The Bears lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.56) and average just 10.7 turnovers per game, a profile built for tighter conference possessions.

Rebounding also remains a strength, with a +6.7 rebound margin (third in the Big Sky), allowing UNC to control possessions without relying on transition scoring.

Around the league, teams show strength in individual areas, but Northern Colorado stands out as the only Big Sky program ranking at the top across every major offensive efficiency metric entering conference play.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS: Montana State Bobcats enters Big Sky play with a balanced, multi-guard lineup that spreads scoring across the floor and relies on half-court execution rather than pace.

The Bobcats average 78.9 points per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 34.6% from three, with six players averaging 8.4 points or more. Montana State is most effective when it can keep games controlled and convert perimeter looks created through drive-and-kick action.

Patrick McMahon (15.2 PPG) leads the team in scoring, shooting 49.6% FG and 38.5% from three, serving as a primary option both on the ball and as a spot-up threat.

Davian Brown (12.4 PPG) provides additional perimeter scoring, connecting at 41.8% from three.

Jed Miller (11.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG) adds floor spacing and size, while Christian King (10.6 PPG) supplies secondary creation.

Inside, Chris Hodges (6.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG) and Waka Mbatch (4.7 PPG) anchor the paint, with Hodges shooting an efficient 63.0% from the field. Montana State averages 35.2 rebounds per game, emphasizing defensive rebounding to limit second chances.

Northern Colorado has found success against Montana State by forcing contested jump shots and creating separation late, particularly when the Bears control the glass and spacing in the second half.

Series History
Overall Series: 30-51
First Meeting: 1923-24
Most Recent Meeting: Mar. 11, 2025 — Northern Colorado 72, Montana State 45 (Big Sky Tournament Semifinal, Boise)

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES: Montana Grizzlies brings one of the league's most explosive offensive profiles into conference play, averaging 80.9 points per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 35.0% from three.

Montana's attack is guard-driven and thrives when tempo increases. The Grizzlies place a heavy emphasis on attacking downhill and generating free throws, converting at a strong 73.4% team free-throw rate.

Money Williams (18.2 PPG) is the engine of the offense, shooting 49.7% FG and 80.8% at the line while shouldering the primary scoring load.

Te'Jon Sawyer (9.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG) adds interior strength and efficiency (57.8% FG).

Brooklyn Hicks (9.5 PPG) and Tyler Isaak (9.2 PPG) provide perimeter scoring and playmaking, while Tyler Thompson stretches the floor at an elite 43.9% from three.

Montana averages 38.2 rebounds per game, holding a notable edge on the glass, and looks to turn defensive stops into quick scoring opportunities. When the Grizzlies are able to push pace and get to the free-throw line, they become difficult to contain.

Northern Colorado's success against Montana has come when the Bears limit transition opportunities, win the rebound margin, and force Montana into extended half-court possessions.

Series History
Overall Series: 17-30
Most Recent Meeting: Mar. 13, 2025 — Montana 91, Northern Colorado 83 (Big Sky Tournament Championship, Boise)

UP NEXT: Following the opening road swing through Montana, Northern Colorado returns home to Bank of Colorado Arena for its first Big Sky home games of the season, welcoming Idaho State on Thursday, Jan. 8, and Weber State on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Both games are scheduled for 6 p.m. MST in Greeley and will be carried live on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio. The two-game homestand marks Northern Colorado's return to conference play in front of the home crowd as the Bears continue their Big Sky schedule.

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).

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Players Mentioned

Zach Bloch

Quinn Denker

Ring Nyeri

Langston Reynolds

Egan Shields

Brock Wisne

Ibu Yamazaki

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