POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball opens the 3rd annual Big Sky vs Summit League Challenge this week with a two-game run, beginning on the road at Kansas City (UMKC) on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. MT, before returning home to face Denver on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. MT inside Reed Gym. The Bengals enter the week at 4–4, riding their biggest win of the season, 82-50, over Cal State Northridge in Boise, ID.

Head Coach Ryan Looney and the Bengals continue to build an identity rooted in defensive consistency, rebounding, and efficient shot selection across their deep lineup. Idaho State's early-season development has been powered by strong performances from Connor Hollenbeck, Caleb Van De Griend, Martin Kheil, Jamison Guerra, and an improving bench unit that ranks among the Big Sky's best.

Wednesday, Dec. 3rd – Idaho State at Kansas City (UMKC)

Kansas City, Mo. – Swinney Center
Tipoff: 6:00 p.m. MT
Stream: Summit League Network | Radio on KISU

Scouting Kansas City (1–6)

Kansas City enters Wednesday's matchup at 1–6, continuing a demanding early-season schedule that has included games against Texas, TCU, and Southern Illinois. Despite the record, the Roos feature a veteran-heavy backcourt led by U'Riyah Evans, who averages 13.3 points per game, shoots 46.8 percent from the field, and plays 30.8 minutes per contest as their primary offensive initiator. Guard Jayson Petty provides another major scoring option at 12.6 points per game, adds a team-high 12 steals, and ranks second on the team in minutes at 31.6 per game, giving Kansas City consistent two-way production. Perimeter shooter Karmello Branch contributes 10.6 points per game while leading the Roos with 16 made three-pointers, serving as their top floor spacer.

Inside, Kansas City leans on the rebounding tandem of Jerome Palm (5.9 rebounds per game) and Chris Dockery (5.4 rebounds per game), who anchor a frontcourt that averages 33.9 total rebounds per outing. Statistically, the Roos have struggled to find offensive consistency, shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 26.0 percent from three while posting a –16.7 scoring margin. Defensively, UMKC is forcing 12.6 turnovers per game and collecting 7.1 steals, but challenges in perimeter defense and shooting efficiency have limited their ability to close out games. Still, their rebounding effort and experienced guard play make them a team capable of stretches of strong, physical basketball.

Series History

Idaho State leads the all-time series 4-0, and 2-0 when in Kansas City. This is the first meeting between the schools since 2022.

How to Follow – Idaho State at Kansas City

📺 Watch: Summit League Network
🎧 Listen: KISU 91.1 FM
📊 Live Stats: isubengals.com

Saturday, Dec. 6 – Idaho State vs Denver

Pocatello, Idaho – Reed Gym
Tipoff: 4:00 p.m. MT
Stream: ESPN+ | Radio on KISU

Scouting Denver (2–5)

Denver arrives in Pocatello at 2–5 with one of the top scoring guards in the Summit League. Carson Johnson leads the Pioneers with 18.1 points per game, ranking second in the conference and playing over 34 minutes per game, the highest workload in the league. Denver surrounds Johnson with strong rebounding and interior play from Gabe Oldham, who ranks first in the Summit League with 3.0 offensive rebounds per game and has recorded two double-doubles. Jeremiah Burke adds 14.0 points per game and has connected on 14 three-pointers, ranking among Denver's most reliable perimeter threats.

Offensively, the Pioneers shoot 35.0 percent from three (second in the Summit League) and maintain a 72.9 percent clip at the free-throw line. However, Denver has struggled defensively, ranking bottom 10 nationally in opponent field goal percentage (51.8%), opponent three-point percentage (40.8%), rebounding margin (-7.4), scoring defense (87.1 allowed), blocks per game (1.3), and steals per game (4.3). Their inability to consistently slow down opposing offenses has forced them into high-scoring contests where efficiency becomes critical. For Idaho State, controlling the tempo and attacking mismatches inside will be key against a Denver squad that has yet to establish defensive stability.

Series History

Denver leads the all-time series 7-4, but Idaho State leads 3-2 when in Pocatello. The Bengals have lost their last 4 in a row to Denver, including an overtime thriller 2 seasons ago in Denver, and a buzzer-beater 3-pointer for the Pioneers to win, 70-69, in Pocatello 3 seasons ago.

How to Follow – Idaho State vs Denver

📺 Watch: ESPN+
🎧 Listen: KISU 91.1 FM
📊 Live Stats: isubengals.com

Idaho State Team Overview

Idaho State enters the week at 4–4, continuing to emerge as one of the Big Sky's most defensively consistent teams through the opening month of the season. The Bengals are holding opponents to just 68.0 points per game, ranking second in the conference, while posting a +5.8 scoring margin and generating steady improvement across their rotation. Offensively, Idaho State is averaging 73.8 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting. The Bengals have also seen strong contributions from their depth, leading the Big Sky and ranking 23rd in the NCAA behind 37.0 bench points per game, while collecting 34.88 rebounds per game.

Individually, Idaho State continues to be led by graduate forward Connor Hollenbeck, who averages 12.9 points per game and has connected on 17 three-pointers to pace ISU's perimeter scoring. Caleb Van De Griend provides one of the league's most efficient interior presences, averaging 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and an impressive 60.6 percent shooting from the field. Martin Kheil adds another scoring punch at 11.7 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three, and point guard Jamison Guerra remains a steady distributor with 4.0 assists per game and one of the highest assist rates in the Big Sky. Redshirt-Sophomore center Evan Otten anchors the defensive interior with 1.5 blocks per contest, while redshirt-senior guard Gus Etchison adds 6.0 points per game and Sophomore wing Lachlan Brewer provides 7.4 points per game off the bench, providing reliable scoring in transition and ball-screen actions.

BENGAL BITES
• Ryan Looney earned his 400th career Head Coaching victory with the Bengals' 71-68 win at USD
• Caleb Van De Griend recorded his second career D1 double-double  vs Justice U (29 points & 10 rebounds on Nov. 21st, 2025)
• Quin Patterson's 18 points vs. Park University were the most by a Bengal in a debut since Jacob McCord scored 18 in his Idaho State debut during the 2017-18 season opener at Arizona State.
• Caleb Van De Griend ranks 3rd in Big Sky in FG% (60.6%) (48th in NCAA), 3rd in Rebounds (55), 6th in RPG (6.9), 5th in Points (120), 7th in PPG (15.0), 6th in Blocks (6), & 5th in FTM (32) & T-3rd in Double-Doubles (2)
• Connor Hollenbeck ranks 17th in PPG (12.9), 5th in 3PM (17), 7th in 3PM per Game (2.13)
• Jamison Guerra ranks 2nd in Big Sky in Assist/Turnover Ratio (3.2) (65th in NCAA), 6th in Big Sky in Assists (32) & 8th in Assists per Game (4.0)
• Martin Kheil ranks 21st in Big Sky in PPG (11.7), 4th in Big Sky in 3P% (.400), & 3PM per game (2.67)
• Evan Otten ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in Blocks (12) & 1st in Blocks per Game (1.5)
• The Bengals lead the Big Sky and rank 11th in the NCAA in Fouls per Game, averaging 13.7 per game
• ISU leads the Big Sky in Bench Points per Game (37.0) (23rd in the NCAA), Scoring Defense (68.3), and Fouls per game (15.5) (44th in NCAA)
• Idaho State ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in Blocks per Game (4.5) (65th in NCAA)
• The Bengals rank 3rd in the Conference in Offensive Rebounds per Game (12.13), Field Goal Percentage Defense (42.2), & FT's Made per Game (16.1)

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