FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 25, 2025) – Thanksgiving week brings a full course of action to the Big Sky Conference, as the men’s basketball slate rolls on through the holiday weekend.
#BigSkyMBB Notes (Nov. 25, 2025)
Below are the latest news and notes from around the Big Sky.
UNC’s Denker Named Player of the Week
Following a trio of impressive performances at the Portland Invitational, Northern Colorado’s Quinn Denker has been named Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Denker averaged 21.0 points per game, 6.5 assists per game and 3.3 rebounds per game across the three contests to earn the award.
Against the Portland Pilots, he forced overtime and dropped 29 a bounce-back game for the Bears. Denker was also named to the Portland Invitational All-Tournament Team.
The graduate student is in his second season with Northern Colorado after transferring to Greeley by way of Idaho. This marks his first weekly award from the Big Sky.
Bears Sit on Top of Standings
With a 5-1 record, Northern Colorado currently has the best overall record in the Big Sky Conference. Idaho, Northern Arizona and Portland State are all 3-2, while Montan is 4-3. Idaho State is 3-3, rounding out the squads that are .500 or better heading into this week of competition.
Individual Stat Leaders
Portland State’s Jaylin Henderson enters this week of action as the Big Sky’s top scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game through five appearances. Montana’s Money Williams is second in terms of scoring with a 19.3 ppg average, followed by Eastern Washington’s Isaiah Moses at 18.5 ppg.
Henderson is also the Big Sky leader in steals, averaging 2.4 per ballgame.
Sacramento State’s Prophet Johnson is currently the top rebounder in the Big Sky, pulling down 10.0 boards per game on average.
UNC’s Denker is the Big Sky leader in assists, dishing out 6.5 per contest on average. He has 39 total for the season through six games.
SAC’s Jeremiah Cherry leads the league in blocked shots, sending away 2.3 per contest on average.
Team Stat Leaders
Portland State currently owns the highest scoring offense in the Big Sky, averaging 90.8 points per game as a unit. Northern Colorado is second at 89.2, followed by Weber State at 87.7.
The Montana State Bobcats are giving up the fewest points in the Big Sky, allowing opponents to score just 67.0 points per game. Idaho State is second in that category at 68.3, followed by Montana at 69.0.
Summit Challenge Looming
On Wednesday, December 3 the third-annual Big Sky-Summit Challenge will begin against the Summit League. Games will continue on Saturday, December 6 with one game wrapping up the series on Sunday, December 7.
The Big Sky-Summit Challenge is a joint scoring event between men’s and women’s basketball teams from both conferences. The Big Sky is 0-2 all-time in the challenge.
Wednesday, December 3 – Men’s Games
North Dakota at Idaho
North Dakota State at Montana
St. Thomas at Montana State
South Dakota State at Northern Arizona
Oral Roberts at Weber State
Eastern Washington at Denver
Idaho State at Kansas City
Northern Colorado at Omaha
Portland State at South Dakota
Saturday, December 6 – Men’s Games
Kansas City at Eastern Washington
Denver at Idaho State
South Dakota at Northern Colorado
Omaha at Portland State
Idaho at South Dakota State
Montana at North Dakota
Montana State at Oral Roberts
Northern Arizona at North Dakota State
Weber State at St. Thomas (Moved to Sunday, December 7)
Starch Madness
The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships in Boise, Idaho will take place from March 7-11 inside Idaho Central Arena. Visit
StarchMadness.com for more details.
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Upcoming Big Sky Men’s Basketball Games (MT)
Tuesday, November 25
Eastern Washington at North Texas | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.
Oakland at Montana | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Portland State at Utah Tech | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
San Francisco State at Sacramento State | ESPN+ | 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26
Northern Colorado at Air Force | MW Network | 4:00 p.m.
Sam Houston vs Idaho State | ESPN+ | 4:30 p.m.
SE Missouri State at Northern Arizona | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.
Cal State Northridge vs Idaho | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 28
Cal State Northridge vs Idaho State | ESPN+ | 4:30 p.m.
Sam Houston vs Idaho | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 29
Kansas City at Weber State | ESPN+ | 2:00 p.m.
Montana State at Utah State | MW Network | 2:00 p.m.
Regis (Colo.) at Northern Colorado | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.
Sacramento State at Pacific | ESPN+ | 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2
Sacramento State at Baylor | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.