Bengals Travel to Ogden for Big Sky Rivalry Clash at Weber State

OGDEN, Utah – Idaho State Men's Basketball continues Big Sky Conference play on the road this weekend, traveling to Ogden, Utah, for a rivalry matchup with Weber State on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff between the Bengals and Wildcats is set for 1:00 p.m. inside the Dee Events Center.

Idaho State enters the contest with a 181 NCAA NET ranking, while Weber State sits at 192, setting the stage for a tightly contested conference matchup in one of the league's most challenging road environments.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Saturday, Jan. 31 – at Weber State
Tipoff: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Dee Events Center – Ogden, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com

IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW

Idaho State enters the weekend continuing to lean into a defensive identity built on depth, interior disruption, and consistent physicality. The Bengals lead the Big Sky in bench points per game (30.57), ranking 36th nationally, while also ranking 2nd in the conference in blocks per game (4.2) and 3rd in offensive rebounds per game (11.24). ISU remains among the league's top teams in free-throw attempts per game (22.0, 4th), free throws made per game (16.2, 4th), rebound margin (+4.1, 4th), scoring defense (73.7, 4th), and turnovers per game (11.3, 4th).

Offensively, Idaho State continues to be paced by Caleb Van De Griend, who ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in double-doubles (6), 5th in total rebounds (143), and 6th in rebounds per game (6.8) while anchoring the interior. Connor Hollenbeck provides consistent perimeter scoring and free-throw production, ranking 16th in points per game (13.0), 6th in free-throw attempts (95), 7th in free throws made (75), and 8th in free-throw percentage (78.9%). Martin Kheil remains one of the conference's most active perimeter shooters, ranking 4th in three-point attempts (129), 5th in three-pointers per game (2.47), and 6th in total threes made (47).

At the point, Jamison Guerra continues to run the offense efficiently, ranking 1st in the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.73) and 4th in total assists (90). Evan Otten anchors the defense, leading the conference in total blocks (36) and blocks per game (1.71).

SCOUTING WEBER STATE

Weber State enters Saturday's matchup with a 192 NCAA NET ranking and a statistical profile built around rebounding, pace, and transition offense. The Wildcats lead the Big Sky in rebounds per game (38.62) and offensive rebounds per game (12.10), while also ranking 1st in three-point percentage defense (29.1%). Weber State averages 82.7 points per game, ranking 2nd in the conference, and leads the Big Sky in fast-break points per game (15.76).

Individually, the Wildcats are led by Tijan Saine Jr., who ranks 9th in the Big Sky in scoring (15.3 PPG) while also ranking 2nd in free throws made (103), 2nd in free-throw attempts (118), 3rd in free-throw percentage (87.3%), 4th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.51), and 5th in total assists (88). Jace Whiting contributes 11.6 points per game and logs 31:31 minutes per contest, while Edwin Suarez Jr. ranks 6th in the Big Sky in double-doubles (3) and 8th in total rebounds (132). Malek Gomma provides interior presence, ranking 5th in rebounds per game (7.0) and 2nd in offensive rebounds per game (2.90).

SERIES HISTORY – WEBER STATE

Weber State leads the all-time series 86–57, including a 52–15 advantage in Ogden.

Recent Results vs. Weber State

• 2/8/2025 – A – W, 72–67

• 1/11/2025 – H – L, 77–69

• 2/24/2024 – H – W, 80–62

• 1/27/2024 – A – W, 74–64

• 2/4/2023 – H – L, 72–71 (2OT)

• 1/7/2023 – A – W, 67–57

Idaho State is 4–2 in its last six meetings against Weber State. Under Head Coach Ryan Looney, the Bengals are 4–0 all-time in Ogden, with Looney yet to suffer a loss inside the Dee Events Center.

BENGAL BITES

• The Bengals lead the Big Sky in bench points per game (30.57), ranking 36th nationally

• Jamison Guerra leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.73) and ranks 4th in total assists (90)

• Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in total blocks (36) and blocks per game (1.71)

• Caleb Van De Griend ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in double-doubles (6) and 5th in total rebounds (143)

• Idaho State is 4–2 in its last six meetings with Weber State

• Head Coach Ryan Looney is 4–0 in Ogden during his tenure at Idaho State