Reynolds Named Big Sky Preseason MVP, Bears Picked Second

FARMINGTON, Utah – Northern Colorado's Langston Reynolds has been named Big Sky Conference Preseason Most Valuable Player, and the Bears have been picked to finish second in both the coaches' and media preseason polls, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Reynolds returns to Greeley for one final season after spending 2025-26 at Minnesota. Across 125 collegiate games and 63 starts, he has totaled 1,171 points, 426 rebounds and 330 assists, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished guards to wear a Bears uniform in recent years.

"I couldn't be more excited for Langston being named Preseason Player of the Year, and it's well-deserved," head coach Steve Smiley said. "He was a finalist for the Big Sky Player of the Year after our championship season in 24-25, so I know this is something that is realistic. He is a substantially better player now, and he has elite experience that will help not only him, but our entire team as we enter the season. Langston knows that any individual awards are typically a byproduct of a successful season for the team, and he's locked in to helping guide us throughout the season. He's a joy to coach, and he will have a tremendous season for the Bears!"

His last season at Northern Colorado was his best. In 2024-25, Reynolds earned First Team All-Big Sky honors and was named Big Sky Player of the Week three times after averaging 16.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He ranked 20th nationally and first in the Big Sky in field goal percentage at 59.3 percent, helping lead the Bears to a share of the Big Sky regular-season title and the program's first-ever NIT bid. He also earned NABC All-District Second Team recognition.

At Minnesota, Reynolds averaged 11.6 points per game, played in all 33 games with 26 starts and led the team with 150 assists, tied for the 10th-most in a single season in program history. He posted five 20-point games, 22 double-figure scoring performances and three double-digit assist games.

Northern Colorado received 81 points in the Coaches' Poll, trailing only Montana State, which took the top spot with 97 points and seven first-place votes. The Bears earned 295 points in the Media Poll, also behind the Bobcats, who received 19 first-place votes. Northern Colorado received seven first-place votes in the media balloting.

"While we're definitely excited about being picked near the top of the league, we know that it's only a prediction, and we know that it's more difficult now than it's ever been to have a good understanding of the league with every roster being so new and uncertain." Smiley commented. "I do think we've assembled a very talented and competitive roster and having seven returning players is helping us tremendously with continuity and cohesion, which is critical in this new era. The key for us is to be grateful but also know that it's only a preseason prediction. We have to make sure we're not "ruined by praise" but continue to stay process-based as the season approaches. This group has tremendous potential, but we have a massive amount of work to get there!"

Eastern Washington was picked third in both polls, followed by Montana and Portland State. The league welcomes Southern Utah and Utah Tech as full-time members this season, bringing the Big Sky to 11 men's basketball programs.

Reynolds was joined on the Preseason All-Conference Team by Jed Miller of Montana State, Ethan Potter of Utah Tech, Andrew Cook and Alton Hamilton IV of Eastern Washington, Jaiden Feroah of Southern Utah and Koren Johnson of Portland State.

2026-27 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Montana State (7), 97
Northern Colorado, 81
Eastern Washington (3), 79 T4. Montana, 73 T4. Portland State, 73
Idaho (1), 56
Utah Tech, 50
Weber State, 29
Idaho State, 26
Southern Utah, 25
Northern Arizona, 16

2026-27 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll

Montana State (19), 326
Northern Colorado (7), 295
Eastern Washington (5), 279
Montana (1), 254
Portland State, 236
Idaho, 183
Utah Tech, 161
Weber State, 143
Idaho State, 93
Southern Utah, 85
Northern Arizona, 57

2026-27 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team: Langston Reynolds, Northern Colorado (MVP) Jed Miller, Montana State Ethan Potter, Utah Tech Andrew Cook, Eastern Washington Alton Hamilton IV, Eastern Washington Jaiden Feroah, Southern Utah Koren Johnson, Portland State

Up Next
Northern Colorado opens the 2026-27 season Monday, Nov. 2, hosting Colorado College at Bank of Colorado Arena at 7:30 p.m. MT with Double-Double Day offering two-for-one general admission tickets.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.

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