University of Northern Colorado Athletics
10/21/2026 12:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FARMINGTON, Utah. – The Big Sky Conference has announced its preseason polls for the upcoming 2026-27 women's basketball season. Northern Colorado was picked third in both polls for the upcoming season.
"Preseason polls are always exciting, but our focus remains on improving every day and continuing to grow as a team. We know we'll face everyone's best effort throughout the season, so it's our responsibility to keep raising our level of play and position ourselves to be playing our best basketball when March arrives" said Head Coach, Kristen Mattio.
The Bears finished the 2025-26 season with 20 wins and earned a WNIT appearance, defeating Air Force on the road in the first round of the tournament. Northern Colorado also established itself as one of the conference's top defensive teams, finishing the season with the Big Sky's highest-rated defense.
Northern Colorado returns five players from its 2025-26 roster, including three All-Big Sky honorees in Tatum West, Heather Baymon and Neenah George.
Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (Preseason MVP)
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Addison Harris, Montana State
Ava Uhrich, Southern Utah
Avery Waddington, Montana
Elyn Bowers, Eastern Washington
Big Sky Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Montana State (9) – 99
2. Idaho (2) – 90
3. Northern Colorado – 76
4. Eastern Washington – 71
5. Southern Utah – 67
6. Montana – 54
7. Idaho State – 49
8. Weber State- 32
9. Portland State – 30
10. Northern Arizona – 27
11. Utah Tech – 10
Big Sky Women's Basketball Media Poll
1. Montana State (23) – 283
2. Idaho (3) – 254
3. Northern Colorado – 214
4. Eastern Washington – 197
5. Southern Utah – 173
6. Idaho State – 157
7. Montana – 149
8. Northern Arizona – 110
9. Weber State – 70
10. Portland State – 63
11. Utah Tech - 46
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_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB)
"Preseason polls are always exciting, but our focus remains on improving every day and continuing to grow as a team. We know we'll face everyone's best effort throughout the season, so it's our responsibility to keep raising our level of play and position ourselves to be playing our best basketball when March arrives" said Head Coach, Kristen Mattio.
The Bears finished the 2025-26 season with 20 wins and earned a WNIT appearance, defeating Air Force on the road in the first round of the tournament. Northern Colorado also established itself as one of the conference's top defensive teams, finishing the season with the Big Sky's highest-rated defense.
Northern Colorado returns five players from its 2025-26 roster, including three All-Big Sky honorees in Tatum West, Heather Baymon and Neenah George.
Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (Preseason MVP)
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Addison Harris, Montana State
Ava Uhrich, Southern Utah
Avery Waddington, Montana
Elyn Bowers, Eastern Washington
Big Sky Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Montana State (9) – 99
2. Idaho (2) – 90
3. Northern Colorado – 76
4. Eastern Washington – 71
5. Southern Utah – 67
6. Montana – 54
7. Idaho State – 49
8. Weber State- 32
9. Portland State – 30
10. Northern Arizona – 27
11. Utah Tech – 10
Big Sky Women's Basketball Media Poll
1. Montana State (23) – 283
2. Idaho (3) – 254
3. Northern Colorado – 214
4. Eastern Washington – 197
5. Southern Utah – 173
6. Idaho State – 157
7. Montana – 149
8. Northern Arizona – 110
9. Weber State – 70
10. Portland State – 63
11. Utah Tech - 46
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_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB)
Players Mentioned
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