PREVIEW: UNC Men’s Basketball Set for Crucial Big Sky Road Swing in Pacific Northwest and California

Thursday, January 15

Portland, Ore.

8 p.m. MST | 7 p.m. PST

University of Northern Colorado

Portland State

Photo by: Lexie Martin

1/13/2026 2:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

UNC Game Notes

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. - Northern Colorado turns its attention ahead this week as the Bears head west for a pair of key Big Sky Conference road contests, beginning Thursday, Jan. 15 at Portland State inside Viking Pavilion in Portland, Ore. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. MST (7 p.m. PST) with coverage on ESPN+ and Pirate Radio. UNC will then continue the trip south to face Sacramento State on Saturday, Jan. 17 at The Nest in Sacramento, Calif., also tipping at 8 p.m. MST (7 p.m. PST), as the Bears look to gain traction in a tightly packed conference race.

LAST WEEK RECAP: Northern Colorado split its two-game Big Sky homestand last week, opening with an 85-72 win over Idaho State before a narrow 76-71 setback to Weber State at Bank of Colorado Arena.

The Bears led for more than 39 minutes Thursday night against Idaho State, knocking down 16 three-pointers and building a double-digit lead in both halves. The win marked the 100th career victory at Northern Colorado for head coach Steve Smiley, as UNC shot 51.8 percent from the floor and limited the Bengals to 17.6 percent from beyond the arc. Zach Bloch led all scorers with 26 points, while Brock Wisne added 17 and Quinn Denker posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.

Saturday's contest saw Northern Colorado respond from an early deficit, closing the first half on a 25-11 run to take a 37-34 lead into halftime. The Bears extended the margin to seven early in the second half before Weber State used its defense and trips to the free-throw line to regain the advantage. UNC stayed within a possession late, cutting it to 68-67 with just over a minute remaining, before the Wildcats closed the game at the stripe. Wisne and Denker each scored 17 points, while Ring Nyeri contributed 16 points and eight rebounds as the Bears scored 50 points in the paint.

BIG SKY STANDINGS CONTEXT: Northern Colorado enters the week at 1-3 in conference play, with the Big Sky tightly grouped near the top of the standings. Four teams sit within two games of first place, and the Bears' 11-6 overall record remains among the league's best despite early conference results.

NATIONAL & CONFERENCE RANKINGS SNAPSHOT: Northern Colorado continues to rank among the most efficient offensive teams in the country, leading the Big Sky in several advanced metrics.

Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: 54th nationally, 1st in Big Sky (1.51)

Effective Field Goal Percentage: 25th nationally, 1st in Big Sky (.574)

Field Goal Percentage: 37th nationally, 1st in Big Sky (49.1%)

Scoring Offense: 55th nationally, 1st in Big Sky (84.6 ppg)

Three-Pointers Per Game: 31st nationally, 2nd in Big Sky (10.4)

Three-Point Percentage Defense: 18th nationally, 2nd in Big Sky (28.7%)

UNC also ranks 63rd nationally in rebound margin (+5.8) and 52nd nationally in free-throw percentage (76.0%), underscoring its balance on both ends of the floor.

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS & PLAYER NOTES: Quinn Denker leads the Big Sky and ranks 12th nationally in assists per game (6.7), while also sitting 23rd nationally in total assists (101).

Zach Bloch ranks 5th nationally in three-point percentage (48.7%) and leads the conference in three-pointers per game (3.24).

Brock Wisne ranks 4th in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage (57.0%) and sits among the league leaders in scoring and rebounding. Wisne secured his 500^th career rebound Saturday night.

Denker, Wisne, and Bloch all average 31+ minutes per game, reflecting UNC's experienced and consistent core.

NOTES & TRENDS: Northern Colorado has led at halftime in three of four Big Sky games.

The Bears are shooting 40.0 percent or better from three in three of their four conference contests.

SCOUTING THE Portland State Vikings: Portland State enters Big Sky play with one of the league's most efficient offensive profiles, averaging 83.3 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 34.5% from three. The Vikings are most effective when they can space the floor, play through multiple scoring options, and keep pressure on the defense across all five positions.

The offense is driven by a potent one-two punch in Jaylin Henderson (19.0 PPG), a high-usage guard who creates off the bounce and gets to the free-throw line, and Terri Miller Jr. (18.9 PPG), who scores at all three levels while shooting an elite 58.1% FG and 48.9% from three. Miller also adds a strong presence on the glass (6.4 RPG).

Inside, Tre-Vaughn Minott (11.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG) anchors the paint and provides interior efficiency (61.7% FG), while Keyon Kensie Jr. (11.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG) gives the Vikings a versatile forward who can rebound and score in transition. Portland State averages 39.6 rebounds per game, placing a strong emphasis on controlling the glass and generating second chances.

Portland State has found success in conference play by converting offense late in possessions and capitalizing on matchup advantages. Northern Colorado's path to success has come when the Bears limit dribble penetration, contest perimeter looks, and avoid allowing Portland State to settle into a rhythm through ball movement.

Series History:
Overall Series: 18-21 (since 2006-07)

Last Meeting: Feb. 15, 2025: Portland State 82, Northern Colorado 71

Last 10 Meetings: Northern Colorado leads 6-4

SCOUTING THE Sacramento State Hornets: Sacramento State brings an aggressive, guard-oriented attack into league play, averaging 76.9 points per game while leaning heavily on downhill pressure and shot volume. The Hornets are most dangerous when their guards are able to create early offense and convert from the free-throw line, where they shoot 75.6% as a team.

Mikey Williams (17.8 PPG) leads the scoring load, functioning as the primary creator while absorbing heavy minutes. Prophet Johnson (14.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG) adds physicality and rebounding from the wing, often igniting offense through defensive rebounds and transition pushes.

Frontcourt presence comes from Jeremiah Cherry (15.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG in limited games), who provides interior scoring and toughness, while Jahni Summers (8.9 PPG) stretches the floor at an elite 49.2% from three, giving Sacramento State important spacing. Overall, the Hornets average 37.3 rebounds per game, though they have struggled to consistently win the rebounding margin against Big Sky opponents.

Northern Colorado has historically found success against Sacramento State by controlling tempo, limiting first-shot efficiency, and forcing the Hornets into extended half-court possessions rather than transition opportunities.

Series History:
Overall Series: 26-9 (since 2006-07)

Last Meeting: Feb. 13, 2025: Northern Colorado 77, Sacramento State 61

Last 10 Meetings: Northern Colorado leads 8-2

Current Streak: Northern Colorado, W5

UP NEXT: Northern Colorado returns home to continue Big Sky play on Monday, Jan. 19, welcoming Montana State to Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colo. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MST, with the game airing on ESPN+ and Pirate Radio, as the Bears open a key homestand against one of the conference's top contenders.

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).