University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, January 8
Greeley, Colo.
6 p.m. MST
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Idaho State
PREVIEW: UNC Returns Home for First Big Sky Homestand
1/6/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. — Northern Colorado returns to Bank of Colorado Arena this week for its first Big Sky Conference home games of the season, welcoming Idaho State on Thursday, Jan. 8, and Weber State on Saturday, Jan. 10. Both contests are scheduled for 6 p.m. MT and will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio (pirateradio935.com).
The Bears open league play at home following a challenging road swing through Montana, where Northern Colorado faced two of the conference's toughest environments to begin Big Sky action.
ROAD TESTS SET THE BASELINE: Northern Colorado enters the week at 10-5 overall and 0-2 in Big Sky play after opening the conference schedule on the road at Montana State and Montana. Despite the record, the opening weekend provided a clear snapshot of what translates (and what tightens) as the Bears move into league play.
Across the two games, UNC showed its offensive ceiling, particularly in second halves, scoring 50+ points after halftime in each contest. Execution gaps (turnovers at Montana State and free-throw disparity at Montana) proved decisive, but the underlying profile remains intact as conference play continues.
BIG SKY STANDINGS SNAPSHOT: Through the first weekend of conference play, the Big Sky standings reflect early separation at the top and congestion through the middle.
Northern Colorado sits at 0-2 alongside Northern Arizona and Sacramento State, while Montana State, Montana, Portland State, and Idaho have opened league play unbeaten. With 16 conference games remaining, the early road losses heighten the importance of protecting home court moving forward.
OFFENSIVE PROFILE HOLDS ACROSS OPPONENTS: Northern Colorado continues to profile as one of the conference's most efficient offensive teams, even against top-tier Big Sky competition.
Team metrics (through Jan. 4):
Scoring: 85.5 PPG (55th nationally/1st Big Sky)
Three-Point FG: 10.6 made per game (26th nationally/2nd Big Sky)
Assists: 17.7 per game (40th nationally/1st Big Sky)
Rebounding Margin: +6.4 (59th nationally/2nd Big Sky)
UNC creates offense through shot quality and balance rather than pace. The Bears rank among league leaders in three-point attempts while maintaining spacing through frontcourt touches and kick-out action.
QUINN DENKER, STEADY THROUGH ADVERSITY: Graduate guard Quinn Denker remains the engine of Northern Colorado's offense, averaging 18.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Over the opening Big Sky weekend, Denker totaled 28 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds, directing the offense through extended half-court possessions and late-game pushes. His ability to control tempo and distribute continues to be central as conference games compress.
FRONTCOURT CONSISTENCY: Northern Colorado's interior production has remained reliable regardless of opponent.
Brock Wisne: 16.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG; 22 points at Montana
Egan Shields: 6.2 RPG; team-best 11 rebounds at Montana State
Ring Nyeri: Team leader in defensive rebounds (60)
UNC continues to win the glass, a trait that will be pivotal against Idaho State and Weber State, both of whom rely on second-chance scoring and physical lineups.
SCOUTING THE BENGALS: Idaho State enters the week at 8-7 overall and 1-1 in Big Sky play, splitting its opening games against Sacramento State and Portland State.
The Bengals are anchored by Caleb Van De Griend (14.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG), one of the league's most efficient interior scorers, alongside perimeter threats Connor Hollenbeck and Martin Kheil. Idaho State ranks near the top of the Big Sky in free-throw attempts per game and interior rebounding, often dictating physical games when allowed to play through the paint.
Series History
Overall: Northern Colorado leads 23-16 (since 2007)
Last Meeting: UNC 86, ISU 72 (Feb. 3, 2025)
Current Streak: UNC has won four of the last five
SCOUTING WEBER STATE: Weber State enters the weekend at 7-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play, featuring one of the league's deepest and most physical rotations.
The Wildcats average 84.7 points per game and rank among the Big Sky's best rebounding teams (+6.8 margin). Tijan Sain Jr. leads the scoring at 13.5 PPG, with Jace Whiting and Viljami Vartiainen providing perimeter balance.
Weber State's strength lies in its ability to extend possessions through offensive rebounding and convert at the line, creating pressure late in games.
Series History
Overall: Weber State leads 25-14
Last Meeting: UNC 89, Weber State 72 (Jan. 2, 2025)
Last 10 Meetings: Series tied, 5-5
KEYS THIS WEEK
Home Court Control: UNC is 4-1 at home this season
Rebounding Margin: Bears are +6.4 per game
Free-Throw Differential: Closing the gap after a 35-38 opponent edge at Montana
Shot Discipline: Maintaining efficiency without forcing pace
UP NEXT: Northern Colorado heads back on the road next week for a two-game Big Sky swing through the West Coast, traveling to Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 15, inside Viking Pavilion in Portland, Ore., before facing Sacramento State on Saturday, Jan. 17, at The Nest in Sacramento, Calif.
Both games are set for 8 p.m. MST (7 p.m. PST) and will be streamed live on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio (PirateRadio935.com).
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
The Bears open league play at home following a challenging road swing through Montana, where Northern Colorado faced two of the conference's toughest environments to begin Big Sky action.
ROAD TESTS SET THE BASELINE: Northern Colorado enters the week at 10-5 overall and 0-2 in Big Sky play after opening the conference schedule on the road at Montana State and Montana. Despite the record, the opening weekend provided a clear snapshot of what translates (and what tightens) as the Bears move into league play.
Across the two games, UNC showed its offensive ceiling, particularly in second halves, scoring 50+ points after halftime in each contest. Execution gaps (turnovers at Montana State and free-throw disparity at Montana) proved decisive, but the underlying profile remains intact as conference play continues.
BIG SKY STANDINGS SNAPSHOT: Through the first weekend of conference play, the Big Sky standings reflect early separation at the top and congestion through the middle.
Northern Colorado sits at 0-2 alongside Northern Arizona and Sacramento State, while Montana State, Montana, Portland State, and Idaho have opened league play unbeaten. With 16 conference games remaining, the early road losses heighten the importance of protecting home court moving forward.
OFFENSIVE PROFILE HOLDS ACROSS OPPONENTS: Northern Colorado continues to profile as one of the conference's most efficient offensive teams, even against top-tier Big Sky competition.
Team metrics (through Jan. 4):
Scoring: 85.5 PPG (55th nationally/1st Big Sky)
Three-Point FG: 10.6 made per game (26th nationally/2nd Big Sky)
Assists: 17.7 per game (40th nationally/1st Big Sky)
Rebounding Margin: +6.4 (59th nationally/2nd Big Sky)
UNC creates offense through shot quality and balance rather than pace. The Bears rank among league leaders in three-point attempts while maintaining spacing through frontcourt touches and kick-out action.
QUINN DENKER, STEADY THROUGH ADVERSITY: Graduate guard Quinn Denker remains the engine of Northern Colorado's offense, averaging 18.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Over the opening Big Sky weekend, Denker totaled 28 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds, directing the offense through extended half-court possessions and late-game pushes. His ability to control tempo and distribute continues to be central as conference games compress.
FRONTCOURT CONSISTENCY: Northern Colorado's interior production has remained reliable regardless of opponent.
Brock Wisne: 16.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG; 22 points at Montana
Egan Shields: 6.2 RPG; team-best 11 rebounds at Montana State
Ring Nyeri: Team leader in defensive rebounds (60)
UNC continues to win the glass, a trait that will be pivotal against Idaho State and Weber State, both of whom rely on second-chance scoring and physical lineups.
SCOUTING THE BENGALS: Idaho State enters the week at 8-7 overall and 1-1 in Big Sky play, splitting its opening games against Sacramento State and Portland State.
The Bengals are anchored by Caleb Van De Griend (14.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG), one of the league's most efficient interior scorers, alongside perimeter threats Connor Hollenbeck and Martin Kheil. Idaho State ranks near the top of the Big Sky in free-throw attempts per game and interior rebounding, often dictating physical games when allowed to play through the paint.
Series History
Overall: Northern Colorado leads 23-16 (since 2007)
Last Meeting: UNC 86, ISU 72 (Feb. 3, 2025)
Current Streak: UNC has won four of the last five
SCOUTING WEBER STATE: Weber State enters the weekend at 7-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play, featuring one of the league's deepest and most physical rotations.
The Wildcats average 84.7 points per game and rank among the Big Sky's best rebounding teams (+6.8 margin). Tijan Sain Jr. leads the scoring at 13.5 PPG, with Jace Whiting and Viljami Vartiainen providing perimeter balance.
Weber State's strength lies in its ability to extend possessions through offensive rebounding and convert at the line, creating pressure late in games.
Series History
Overall: Weber State leads 25-14
Last Meeting: UNC 89, Weber State 72 (Jan. 2, 2025)
Last 10 Meetings: Series tied, 5-5
KEYS THIS WEEK
Home Court Control: UNC is 4-1 at home this season
Rebounding Margin: Bears are +6.4 per game
Free-Throw Differential: Closing the gap after a 35-38 opponent edge at Montana
Shot Discipline: Maintaining efficiency without forcing pace
UP NEXT: Northern Colorado heads back on the road next week for a two-game Big Sky swing through the West Coast, traveling to Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 15, inside Viking Pavilion in Portland, Ore., before facing Sacramento State on Saturday, Jan. 17, at The Nest in Sacramento, Calif.
Both games are set for 8 p.m. MST (7 p.m. PST) and will be streamed live on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio (PirateRadio935.com).
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
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballSteve Smiley, Brock Wisne and Quinn Denker Press Conference vs Idaho
Friday, January 30
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Jan. 27)
Tuesday, January 27
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Jan 20)
Tuesday, January 20
Steve Smiley, Zach Bloch, Brock Wisne Press Conference vs Montana State
Monday, January 19
