TIPOFF: Friday, 6 p.m., CU Events Center.

TV/RADIO: Pac-12 Network/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.

RECORDS: Northern Colorado 4-5; Colorado 7-2

COACHES: Northern Colorado — Steve Smiley, 4th season (49-52 at UNC and overall). Colorado — Tad Boyle, 14th season (279-174, 335-240 overall).

KEY PLAYERS: Northern Colorado — F Saint Thomas, 6-7, Jr. (17.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.8 apg); G Dejour Reaves, 6-0, Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .577 FG%); F Brock Wisne, 6-9, So. (12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .527 FG%); F Riley Abercrombie, 6-9, Gr. (9.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .371 3%).Colorado — G KJ Simpson, 6-2, Jr. (19.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, .558 FG%, .471 3%); F Tristan da Silva, 6-9, Sr. (16.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .556 FG%, .410 3%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 2.6 apg, .452 3%); F J’Vonne Hadley, 6-6, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .574 FG%); C Eddie Lampkin Jr., 6-11, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg); G/F Luke O’Brien, 6-8, Sr. (5.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg).

NOTES: CU has outrebounded all nine opponents this season. … In a series first played on Jan. 25, 1918, the Buffs own a 23-18 mark against UNC, with wins in the past 11 matchups. … CU defeated the Bears 88-77 at home last year behind big games from da Silva (26 points), Simpson (18 points) and Hadley (nine points, nine rebounds). … Simpson has made 16 consecutive free throws. … The Bears were picked ninth in the preseason Big Sky Conference media poll and finished in a tie for eighth in the preseason coaches’ poll. … Boyle has gone 5-0 against UNC, his former team. … UNC is coming off a double-overtime loss at Texas A&M-Commerce on Monday. … The Buffs complete the nonconference schedule at home on Dec. 21 against Utah Tech (5 p.m., Pac-12 Network).