University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Big Sky Unveils 2025-26 Conference Slate for Northern Colorado Men’s Basketball
8/4/2025 12:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – With the 2025-26 athletic season drawing near, the Big Sky Conference has officially released its men's basketball schedule, outlining the full conference slate for Northern Colorado and the rest of the league. The Bears will once again take on all nine league opponents in a true double round-robin format, playing each team both at home and on the road for a total of 18 Big Sky games.
Conference play tips off on New Year's Day (Jan. 1) as Northern Colorado opens the new year on the road at Montana State, followed by a trip to Montana on Jan. 3. The regular season wraps up on March 2, with the Bears hosting the Grizzlies on their home floor in Greeley.
This year's conference campaign includes nine home contests inside Bank of Colorado Arena, including key matchups with Idaho State, Weber State, Montana State, and Montana.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Big Sky's 10 teams will head to Boise, Idaho for the 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships, set for March 7-11 at Idaho Central Arena. "Starch Madness" will feature five action-packed days and 18 total games, with NCAA Tournament berths on the line for both men's and women's champions.
The Bears are coming off a historic 2024–25 campaign that saw them claim a share of the Big Sky regular season title and reach the Big Sky Championship Game before earning the program's first-ever bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). UNC posted a 25-10 overall record and 15 conference wins, matching the most Big Sky victories in program history.
Led by head coach Steve Smiley, the winningest coach in UNC's Division I era, the Bears dominated statistically, leading the Big Sky in points per game (80.6), field goal percentage (50.7%), and three-point shooting (38%). Nationally, UNC ranked No. 1 in field goal percentage and No. 4 in effective field goal percentage.
The full 2025-26 schedule will be released at a later date.
The Big Sky released the women's basketball schedule earlier today.
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).
Conference play tips off on New Year's Day (Jan. 1) as Northern Colorado opens the new year on the road at Montana State, followed by a trip to Montana on Jan. 3. The regular season wraps up on March 2, with the Bears hosting the Grizzlies on their home floor in Greeley.
This year's conference campaign includes nine home contests inside Bank of Colorado Arena, including key matchups with Idaho State, Weber State, Montana State, and Montana.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Big Sky's 10 teams will head to Boise, Idaho for the 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships, set for March 7-11 at Idaho Central Arena. "Starch Madness" will feature five action-packed days and 18 total games, with NCAA Tournament berths on the line for both men's and women's champions.
The Bears are coming off a historic 2024–25 campaign that saw them claim a share of the Big Sky regular season title and reach the Big Sky Championship Game before earning the program's first-ever bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). UNC posted a 25-10 overall record and 15 conference wins, matching the most Big Sky victories in program history.
Led by head coach Steve Smiley, the winningest coach in UNC's Division I era, the Bears dominated statistically, leading the Big Sky in points per game (80.6), field goal percentage (50.7%), and three-point shooting (38%). Nationally, UNC ranked No. 1 in field goal percentage and No. 4 in effective field goal percentage.
The full 2025-26 schedule will be released at a later date.
The Big Sky released the women's basketball schedule earlier today.
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).
Head 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
