Men's basketball accepts first NCAA Division I postseason bid; will host Wednesday
Fresh off a school record-tying 24 wins and their first-ever appearance in the semifinals of the Big Sky Championship, the Bears have earned and accepted a bid to play in the 16-team CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). Northern Colorado fans will get a chance to see their team set the school record for wins at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion on Wednesday night, March 17.

Boyle adds a couple more postseason honors
Northern Colorado coach was already honored earlier this week as a finalist for the Hugh Durham Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award, and on Friday he was also given a nod from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Sporting News. The NABC announced its list of 2010 Division I All-District Coaches, and Boyle, in his fourth year at Northern Colorado, was chosen along with Utah State's Stew Morrill as Co-District 6 Coach of the Year. Sporting News tabbed him the best coach in the Big Sky Conference in its annual release of men's basketball conference awards.

Bears' comeback not enough in semifinal loss to Montana
Northern Colorado overcame a 14-point second-half deficit Tuesday night against Montana and took a lead, but the Grizzlies scored the final six points to send the Bears home with a 68-63 semifinal loss in the 2010 Big Sky Conference Championship. Montana (21-9) sank four free throws and got a key jumper down the stretch to end the Bears' quest for a first Big Sky Conference Championship and their bid for a first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Bears hold steady in Mid-Major Top 25; Boyle a finalist for national honor
Northern Colorado comes in at No. 11 this week to remain ranked in an NCAA Division I poll for 16 weeks. Also, Northern Colorado coach coach Tad Boyle was announced Monday as a finalist for this year's Hugh Durham Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award, given annually to the nation's top mid-major coach.