Colorado College vs Northern Colorado prediction: Northern Colorado's rebuilt roster gets a first look against Colorado College
With barely a quarter of last season's minutes back, the Bears' Nov. 2 exhibition against a Division III visitor is about who replaces Quinn Denker's production, not the final score.
- An exhibition against a Division III visitor; Northern Colorado won the last two such meetings, 87-58 in 2023 and 68-49 in 2024.
- Watch Minnesota transfer Langston Reynolds, who averaged 4.5 assists last season, as he takes over the offence Quinn Denker ran.
- No spread or total is posted. The number that matters for later lines is 25.1%, the share of last season's minutes that returned.
A roster built almost from scratch
Northern Colorado went 20-12 last season with one of the country's sharpest offences. Its effective field goal percentage, which counts threes as 1.5 makes, ranked 14th of 365. Almost none of that shooting is back.
The Bears return 25.1% of last season's minutes and 21.3% of their points. Quinn Denker (19.2 points per game), Brock Wisne (16.2) and Zach Bloch, who hit 42.9% from three, are all gone. Last season's team numbers are a weak guide to this group, and this exhibition on Monday, Nov. 2 at Bank of Colorado Arena is the first public look at what Steve Smiley has assembled. Tip time hasn't been announced.
Who carries the offence now
The ball should land with Langston Reynolds, who started 26 games at Minnesota last season and averaged 11.6 points. The school lists him as a fifth-year player. He scored efficiently inside but made just 25.6% of his threes, so his shooting is worth tracking.
The most efficient returner is center Egan Shields, who shot 65.8% from the field last season in 17.5 minutes a night. Southern Miss transfer Chiante' Tramble made 35.9% of his threes last season and could help replace the departed perimeter shooting. UTSA transfer Kaidon Rayfield adds a frontcourt body after averaging 4.8 rebounds.
A familiar exhibition opponent
Colorado College plays in Division III's SCAC under Jeff Conarroe, in his sixth season. Both schools list this as an exhibition, so it carries no record and no betting market.
The Bears have handled this matchup comfortably, winning 87-58 in November 2023 and 68-49 at home in November 2024. A lopsided margin tells readers little. Rotations and shot selection tell them more.
- Does Reynolds run the offence, and does anyone shoot like Bloch did?
- How much does Shields play as the anchor inside?
- Last season the Bears forced turnovers at a rate that ranked 359th. Does the new group pressure the ball more?
Where the money is on Colorado College vs Northern Colorado
On the Kalshi moneyline: Colorado College: 50% of bets, 0% of the money; Northern Colorado: 50% of bets, 100% of the money.
Key players
- Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado): Started 26 games at Minnesota last season, averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 assists.
- Egan Shields (Northern Colorado): Shot 65.8% from the field last season with an offensive rating of 126.6.
- Chiante' Tramble (Northern Colorado): Made 35.9% of his threes at Southern Miss last season.
- Kaidon Rayfield (Northern Colorado): Averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds at UTSA last season.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 25.1% | Northern Colorado brings back about a quarter of last season's minutes, so last season's team numbers say little about this group. |
|---|---|---|
| Last season's eFG% rank | 14th | The elite shooting offence that produced this rank mostly left with its departed starters. |
| Quinn Denker's scoring | 19.2 | The departed star's points per game are the biggest hole Reynolds and the newcomers must fill. |
| Last season's adjusted net rank | 142nd | Northern Colorado's final opponent-adjusted rating from last season, before the roster overhaul. |
Colorado College vs Northern Colorado: quick answers
When is Colorado College vs Northern Colorado?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.
Where is the money on Colorado College vs Northern Colorado?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Colorado College: 50% of bets, 0% of the money; Northern Colorado: 50% of bets, 100% of the money.