POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball continues its non-conference stretch with a road test at Utah Valley on Wednesday evening. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. inside the UCCU Center in Orem. The Bengals enter the matchup at 6–4, while the Wolverines carry one of the most complete statistical profiles in the West into Wednesday night.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Tipoff: 6:00 p.m.
Location: UCCU Center – Orem, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com

IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW

Idaho State enters the matchup continuing to solidify an identity built on defensive consistency, rebounding, and a rapidly maturing offensive core. The Bengals are allowing just 68.2 points per game, ranking 1st in the Big Sky and 80th nationally in scoring defense. A strengthening interior presence has helped ISU establish a +5.8 rebound margin (5th Big Sky, 85th nationally) while collecting 12.4 offensive rebounds per game (3rd Big Sky). Offensively, the Bengals are scoring 75.1 points per game, shooting 46.3 percent from the field, and showing meaningful growth in efficiency throughout the rotation.

Idaho State also enters the week carrying the highest NCAA NET ranking in program history, rising to No. 120 nationally. The Bengals are currently the top-rated team in the Big Sky Conference, surpassing their previous program-best NET position of No. 121, achieved on December 3rd, 2024. The ranking reflects the Bengals' strong start and the efficiency metrics that support the trajectory of this year's team.

ISU continues to receive strong scoring from Caleb Van De Griend (14.0 PPG, 61.6% FG) and Connor Hollenbeck (12.8 PPG), who together form one of the Big Sky's most productive frontcourt duos. Martin Kheil adds perimeter scoring at 12.4 points per game, ranking among league leaders in three-point attempts, makes, and efficiency. Point guard Jamison Guerra remains one of the conference's most reliable facilitators, ranking 1st in the Big Sky and 50th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (3.23). Evan Otten anchors the interior defense as the Big Sky leader in blocks and blocks per game, and Idaho State's depth continues to shine with the Bengals ranking 1st in the Big Sky and 38th nationally in bench scoring at 34.4 points per game.

SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY

Utah Valley enters Wednesday at 6–3 with one of the most balanced statistical profiles in mid-major basketball. The Wolverines rank 1st in the WAC in scoring offense (83.2), scoring margin (+17.9), assists per game (20.0), field-goal percentage (52.4%), effective field-goal percentage (59.0%), field-goal percentage defense (37.8%), and blocks per game (5.7). Nationally, UVU sits inside the top 30 in scoring margin, assists, and defensive field-goal efficiency.

The Wolverines are led by Jackson Holcombe, who ranks top five in the WAC in scoring (16.0 PPG) and first in rebounding (7.2 RPG), while also placing inside the national top 100 in steals, rebounds, and field-goal percentage. Tyler Hendricks adds elite perimeter ability, shooting 57.8 percent from three, ranking 3rd nationally, and leading the WAC in total threes made (26). Point guard Trevan Leonhardt drives the offense with 12.0 points, 6.4 assists, and nearly 33 minutes per night, ranking 1st in the WAC and 14th nationally in assists per game.

Defensively, Utah Valley ranks 18th nationally in field goal defense (37.8%), 32nd nationally in three-point defense (27.7%), and 61st nationally in rebounding margin (+7.1). The Wolverines also average 9.9 steals and 5.7 blocks per game, creating one of the most complete two-way units in the league. Ten different Wolverines appear in the national statistical rankings, illustrating the roster's balance and depth.

SERIES HISTORY

Utah Valley leads the all-time series 8–4, including a 4–1 mark in Orem and 3–4 record in Pocatello, with Idaho State holding a 1–4 record in true road games against the Wolverines. The two teams last met last season on December 18th, 2024, a 70–56 Utah Valley win in Reed Gym.

Recent Results

• 12/18/2024 – H – L, 70–56

• 12/19/2018 – A – L, 88–77

• 11/14/2017 – H – L, 71–84

• 11/16/2016 – A – L, 82–73

• 12/12/2015 – H – L, 100–76

BENGAL BITES

• Caleb Van De Griend recorded his third career D1 double-double at UMKC (14 points & 10 rebounds
• on Dec. 3rd, 2025)
• Quin Patterson's 18 points vs. Park University (11/4/25) 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 leads the Big Sky in FG% (61.6%) (35th in NCAA), 2nd in Rebounds (71), 5th in RPG (7.1), 7th in Points (140), 13th in PPG (14.0), 6th in Blocks (8), & T-2nd in Double-Doubles (3)
• Connor Hollenbeck ranks 18th in PPG (12.8), 5th in 3PM (22), 7th in 3PM per Game (2.2)
• Jamison Guerra leads the Big Sky in Assist/Turnover Ratio (3.23) (50th in NCAA), 5th in Big Sky in Assists (42) & 6th in Assists per Game (4.2)
• Martin Kheil ranks 19th in Big Sky in PPG (12.4), 4th in Big Sky in 3P% (38.3%), 3rd in 3PM per game (2.88), & 4th in 3PM (23)
• Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in Blocks (18) (40th in NCAA) & Blocks per Game (1.8)
• ISU leads the Big Sky in Bench Points per Game (34.4) (38th in the NCAA), Blocks per Game (4.7) (49th in NCAA), Scoring Defense (68.2) (80th in NCAA), and Fouls per game (16.4) (85th in NCAA)
• The Bengals rank 3rd in the Conference in Offensive Rebounds per Game (12.4)
• Idaho State is currently 120 in the NET rankings, the highest rated team in the Big Sky, and the highest ranking in program history, surpassing their previous high of 121 (Dec. 3rd, 2024)
• Idaho State held Cal State Northridge to just 20.8% shooting from the floor in their Nov. 28th neutral site game, marking the lowest single game FG% the Bengal defense has ever held a D1 opponent to, and the 3rd lowest FG% in an NCAA game this season

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