University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Woody Myers
Bears Make History in Record-Breaking 2024–25 Campaign
4/11/2025 10:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Bears capture share of Big Sky title, earn first-ever NIT bid, and finish top 50 nationally in eight statistical categories during historic 25-win season
GREELEY, Colo. – The 2024–25 season will go down as one of the most successful in Northern Colorado Men's Basketball history. From claiming a share of the Big Sky regular season title to earning the program's first-ever NIT bid, the Bears rewrote the record books and cemented themselves as one of the most efficient, explosive, and balanced teams in the country.
Led by head coach Steve Smiley, now the winningest coach in UNC's Division I era, Northern Colorado racked up 25 wins, the second-most in a single season in program history. Their .714 winning percentage was the ninth-best all-time, and second-best in the D-I era, behind only the 2010–11 NCAA Tournament squad. The Bears also matched their all-time best in Big Sky play, finishing with 15 conference wins, the most since joining the league in 2006.
Dominating the Big Sky
UNC didn't just win games, they dominated them. The Bears led the Big Sky in:
Star Power and Standout Performances
The Bears' dynamic trio of Langston Reynolds, Isaiah Hawthorne, and Jaron Rillie fueled the team's success.
Langston Reynolds led the Big Sky and ranked 20th nationally in field goal percentage (59.3%), earning three Big Sky Player of the Week honors and spots on the All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District Second Team.
Isaiah Hawthorne ranked 4th in the league in scoring (17.4 ppg), earned Big Sky Player of the Week once, and joined Reynolds on both the All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District Second Team.
Jaron Rillie made history as well, finishing 1st in the Big Sky and 38th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (2.53), while also ranking 2nd in the league in total assists (162). He was named to the All-Big Sky First Team, the Big Sky All-Tournament Team, and surpassed career milestones of 1,000 points, 450 assists, and 450 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Zach Bloch anchored the defense, earning a spot on the All-Big Sky Defensive Team, and veteran guard Quinn Denker reached career marks of 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, and 250 assists.
Postseason Breakthrough
UNC shared the Big Sky regular season crown with Montana and advanced to the Big Sky Championship Game, finishing as the tournament runner-up. That performance helped secure an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT)—a historic first for the Bears.
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).
Led by head coach Steve Smiley, now the winningest coach in UNC's Division I era, Northern Colorado racked up 25 wins, the second-most in a single season in program history. Their .714 winning percentage was the ninth-best all-time, and second-best in the D-I era, behind only the 2010–11 NCAA Tournament squad. The Bears also matched their all-time best in Big Sky play, finishing with 15 conference wins, the most since joining the league in 2006.
Dominating the Big Sky
UNC didn't just win games, they dominated them. The Bears led the Big Sky in:
- Assists per game – 15.8
- Effective Field Goal Percentage – 58%
- Field Goal Percentage – 50.7%
- Three-Point Percentage – 38%
- Scoring Offense – 80.6 points per game
- Scoring Margin – +7.9
- Defensive Rebounds per game – 26.14
- Winning Percentage – 71.4%
- 1st in the nation in FG% (50.7%)
- 4th in EFG% (58%)
- 19th in 3PT% (38%)
- 30th in Scoring Offense
- 46th in Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.43)
- 46th in Scoring Margin (+7.9)
- 48th in Assists per Game
- 49th in Rebound Margin (+4.3)
- 42nd in Winning Percentage (71.4%)
Star Power and Standout Performances
The Bears' dynamic trio of Langston Reynolds, Isaiah Hawthorne, and Jaron Rillie fueled the team's success.
Langston Reynolds led the Big Sky and ranked 20th nationally in field goal percentage (59.3%), earning three Big Sky Player of the Week honors and spots on the All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District Second Team.
Isaiah Hawthorne ranked 4th in the league in scoring (17.4 ppg), earned Big Sky Player of the Week once, and joined Reynolds on both the All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District Second Team.
Jaron Rillie made history as well, finishing 1st in the Big Sky and 38th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (2.53), while also ranking 2nd in the league in total assists (162). He was named to the All-Big Sky First Team, the Big Sky All-Tournament Team, and surpassed career milestones of 1,000 points, 450 assists, and 450 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Zach Bloch anchored the defense, earning a spot on the All-Big Sky Defensive Team, and veteran guard Quinn Denker reached career marks of 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, and 250 assists.
Postseason Breakthrough
UNC shared the Big Sky regular season crown with Montana and advanced to the Big Sky Championship Game, finishing as the tournament runner-up. That performance helped secure an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT)—a historic first for the Bears.
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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/ Men's BasketballHead Coach Smiley, Jaron Rillie, Zach Bloch, and Isaiah Hawthorne Post Game Press Conference v Idaho
Sunday, February 23
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Jaron Rillie, and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs E Washington
Friday, February 21
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
