POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball continues Big Sky Conference play this week with a two-game homestand inside Reed Gym, welcoming Northern Arizona on Thursday night before hosting Northern Colorado on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff against the Lumberjacks is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, followed by a 4:00 p.m. matchup with the Bears on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The Bengals enter the week continuing to build momentum through balanced scoring and defensive consistency. Idaho State currently holds a NET ranking of 191, while Northern Arizona enters at 304 and Northern Colorado at 179.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Thursday, Feb. 5 vs. Northern Arizona
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Reed Gym – Pocatello, Idaho
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com
Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Northern Colorado
Tipoff: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Reed Gym – Pocatello, Idaho
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com
IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW
Idaho State continues to define its identity through depth, interior defense, and balanced offensive production. The Bengals lead the Big Sky in bench points per game (29.39), ranking 50th nationally, while also leading the conference in blocks per game (4.4). The Bengals rank 2nd in the Big Sky in Fouls per game (17.3), and 3rd in free-throw attempts (21.9), free-throw's made per game (16.2), and offensive rebounds per game (11.09). ISU's ability to rotate bodies and protect the paint has been a consistent strength throughout conference play.
Offensively, Caleb Van De Griend anchors the frontcourt, ranking 2nd in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage (56.1%), 5th in total rebounds (148), 6th in rebounds per game (6.4), and tied for 2nd in double-doubles (6) while averaging 12.1 points per game. Connor Hollenbeck provides scoring versatility on the wing, ranking inside the conference's top 15 in total points, three-pointers made, free throws made, and minutes per game.
At the point, Jamison Guerra continues to orchestrate efficiently, leading the Big Sky and 51st nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.81) while sitting 5th in total assists (101). Martin Kheil remains one of the league's most reliable perimeter shooters, ranking 3rd in three-pointers per game (2.52) and 4th in three-point percentage (36.8%). Defensively, Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in both total blocks (43) and blocks per game (1.87), ranking inside the NCAA top 40 in both categories.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ARIZONA
Northern Arizona enters the week built around perimeter shooting efficiency and ball movement. The Lumberjacks rank 1st in the Big Sky and 22nd nationally in three-point percentage (37.9%), while also ranking 3rd in the conference in assist to turnover ratio (1.25). NAU takes care of the basketball well, leading the league in turnover margin (+1.3).
Defensively, the Lumberjacks allow 76.3 points per game, ranking 6th in the Big Sky, and have struggled on the glass, ranking last in the Big Sky in rebound margin (-4.1) and 9th in offensive rebounds per game (8.39). Northern Arizona's ability to generate clean perimeter looks makes them dangerous despite rebounding challenges.
SERIES HISTORY – NORTHERN ARIZONA
Idaho State leads the all-time series 65–58, including a 38–17 record at home.
Recent Results:
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO
Northern Colorado enters Saturday with one of the most efficient offensive profiles in the Big Sky. The Bears rank 1st in the conference in scoring offense (83.1 PPG) and 1st in assists per game (17.1), emphasizing pace and ball movement. UNC also leads the Big Sky in rebound margin (+5.2) and ranks 2nd in defensive rebounds per game (26.61), consistently controlling possessions.
Perimeter efficiency is a major strength for the Bears. Northern Colorado ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (36.6%), 2nd in three-pointers per game (10.1), and 2nd in effective field-goal percentage (56.6%). Defensively, the Bears allow 77.9 points per game, ranking 8th in the conference, but counter with elite offensive efficiency that keeps pressure on opponents throughout games.
Individually, Quinn Denker leads the conference in assists (148) and assists per game (7.0), ranking 7th nationally in assists per game, while also averaging 17.9 points per contest. Zach Bloch is one of the league's premier shooters, ranking 1st in the Big Sky and 4th nationally in three-point percentage (45.9%), while also leading the conference in three-pointers per game (3.17) and total threes made (73).
SERIES HISTORY – NORTHERN COLORADO
Idaho State leads the all-time series 40–34, including a 21–10 record at home.
Recent Results:
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1/8/2026 – A – L, 85–72
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2/3/2025 – H – L, 86–72
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1/4/2025 – A – L, 93–92 (OT)
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3/10/2024 – N – W, 83–76
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3/2/2024 – H – L, 81–79
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2/1/2024 – A – L, 91–86 (2OT)
BENGAL BITES
- Caleb Van De Griend is 14th in FGM (106), 6th in total rebounds (144), 6th in rebounds per game (6.5), 17th in total points (278), 20th in PPG (12.1), T-7th in Blocks (17), and is 2nd in double-doubles (6) (52nd in NCAA)
- Connor Hollenbeck ranks 14th in the Big Sky in points per game (13.5), T-11th in total points (311), T-14th in three-pointers made (38), T-14th in three-pointers per game (1.7), 9th in FT% (79.1%), 6th in FTM (87), T-18th in Blocks (10), & 18th in Minutes per Game (30.2)
- Jamison Guerra leads the Big Sky in assist/turnover ratio (2.81) (52nd in NCAA), 5th in total assists (101), 6th in assists per game (4.4), & 32nd in the Big Sky in PPG (9.9) (4th on team)
- Martin Kheil ranks 29th in the Big Sky in scoring (10.5 PPG), 3rd in three-pointers per game (2.52) & 4th in 3PM (53), and 4th in 3P% (36.8%)
- Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in total blocks (43) and blocks per game (1.87), ranking 31st in total blocks & 40th in blocks per game in the NCAA
- Cheikh Sow T-20th in the Big Sky in total steals (21), T-22nd in steals per game (0.9), & T-15th in Blocks (11)
- Idaho State leads the Big Sky in bench points per game (29.39) (51st in the NCAA) & blocks per game (4.4) (57th in NCAA), while ranking 2nd in Fouls per Game (17.3), & 3rd in the conference in Free-Throw Attempts per game (21.9), Free-Throw's Made per Game (16.2), and Offensive Rebounds per game (11.09)
- Idaho State held CSUN 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.
- Idaho State is 1/19 teams in the NCAA to have 7 different players lead the team in scoring in different games this season
- Evan Otten currently sits at 109 career blocks, just 6 shy of moving into 4th on the All-Time Blocks List
- Evan Otten now has 43 blocks on the season, putting him T-10th on the Bengal Single-Season record books with Jesse Smith's 2003-04 season. Evan just needs one more to tie Kelvin Jones' 2018-19 total of 44 for 9th.
NEXT UP
Idaho State hits the road for their final multi-game road trip of the 2025-26 regular season next week. Up first the Bengals look to avenge their worst home loss of the season on Thursday, Feb. 12th in Cheney, WA against the Eastern Washington Eagles, tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT. Following their contest against the Eagles, ISU will have a Valentine's Date with rivals, the Idaho Vandals, in Moscow, ID on Saturday, Feb. 14th, tipoff is set for 4 p.m. MT.
The Bengals and Vandals men's and women's teams are split 1-1 in the season series in the Battle for King Spud. If either school's men's and women's teams split the matchups on Saturday, they will win King Spud outright. If the teams split once again, then it will go to a point total tiebreaker, which the Idaho Vandals currently own by five points.
Both games will be aired on ESPN+, or can listen along to the Voice of the Bengals, Scott Gross, on KISU 91.1 FM.
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