Utah Valley University is set to return home after an extended absence, hosting Idaho State on Wednesday night at the UCCU Center. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. and will be available for viewing on ESPN+ and the Wolverine Sports Network/ESPN The Fan.
The Wolverines come into this game with a strong overall record of 6–3, having recently secured an impressive 82–71 victory on the road against Bowling Green. Four players contributed significantly to this win, with Jackson Holcombe leading the charge with 19 points. Isaac Davis followed closely behind with 18 points, while Tyler Hendricks recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Utah Valley’s defense was particularly effective, forcing Bowling Green into a season-high 20 turnovers and maintaining control throughout most of the game, at one point establishing a lead of 26 points in the second half. This victory marked Utah Valley’s fourth win in its last five contests, concluding a demanding six-game road stretch.
In recognition of his standout performance, Holcombe was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week. Over the past two road games against San Diego State and Bowling Green, he averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. A key player for the Wolverines, Holcombe has consistently scored in double figures in every game this season, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals.
As the week unfolds, Utah Valley also holds a prestigious position in national statistics, ranking within the top 30 for assists per game, field goal percentage, blocks, effective field goal percentage, steals, and scoring margin. The Wolverines are currently positioned at No. 62 in the NCAA NET rankings, the highest among all teams in the Western Athletic Conference and third among Division I teams in Utah. Their notable victories include wins over Bowling Green, UC Irvine, South Dakota State, and Samford, along with a competitive effort against San Diego State.
Idaho State arrives in Orem with a record of 6–4 and boasts a three-game winning streak, having recently triumphed over Kansas City and Denver. The Bengals are ranked No. 120 in the NET and present a challenging matchup with their physical and balanced roster, which emphasizes rebounding, interior play, and defensive size. Four players on their team average double figures in scoring, led by Caleb Van De Griend, who contributes 14.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Bengals have shown efficiency, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and pulling down an average of 34.8 rebounds per game, while ranking among the Big Sky Conference leaders in block percentage and rebounding margin.
Historically, Utah Valley has the upper hand in this matchup, leading the all-time series 8–4. The Wolverines have dominated recently, winning their last seven encounters, a streak that began on November 26, 2014. In their previous meeting last season, Utah Valley claimed a 70–56 victory in Pocatello.
Looking ahead, following Wednesday’s contest, Utah Valley is scheduled for a trip north to Salt Lake City. They will face UC Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon at the Delta Center.
