Game Preview

BOISE, Idaho — The Regular Season Men’s Big Sky Regular Season Champions and number one seed Southern Utah University Men’s basketball team will face off against eight seeded University of Northern Colorado Bears, after having a first round bye in the Big Sky Tournament. 

The last time the ThunderBirds hit the court they won in dominating fashion over Portland State 73-54, and clinching the Big Sky regular season title. 

The Thunderbirds have a lot to look forward too in the Big Sky Tournament with multiple conference honors including Tevian Jones being elected to All-Big Sky First Team, Maizen Fausett All-Big Sky Second Team, Dre Marin Honorable Mention and Head Coach Todd Simon receiving the honor of Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. 

SUU will face off against Northern Colorado who beat Sacramento State 90-83. The Bears headlined this win with Bode Hume with a career high 30 points while shooting lights out from the 3 point line shooting 7-10. And adding eight rebounds and three blocks during the contest. Matt Johnson II finished with 15 points and Kur Jockuh earned his fifth-straight double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Bears also scored a team season high of 90 points. 

Northern Colorado dominated on the boards out rebounding Sacramento State 34-19. Sacramento State did lead at halftime 45-42, and have many positives such as only committing four turnovers to Northern Colorado’s eleven. The Bears struggled to guard the three point line against the Hornets, at one time in the game the Hornets were shooting 86% from three point and finished the game at 70%. 

The regular season series between Northern Colorado and Sacramento State was canceled. 

Southern Utah swept Sacramento State in the regular season series in Cedar City by margins of 19 and 20 points in those contests. 

Southern Utah and Northern Colorado will face off for the first time this season in the Big Sky Quarterfinals due to the regular season series being canceled due to COVID-19. The last time these two teams played was February 20, 2020 with Northern Colorado winning 68-66 in Greeley, Colorado and earlier on in the year with the Bears being successful pulling out the 68-60 win in Cedar City. 

Tipoff will occur at 11am tomorrow at Idaho Central Arena with all games being streamed on PlutoTV channel 1050.