DeKalb, Ill. - Northern Illinois looks to extend its three-game winning streak over Bowling Green on Sunday (Jan. 27) as the Huskies take to the road and head to Anderson Arena for a 1 p.m. (CST) tip-off.
The Huskies are coming off a thrilling 60-58 victory over Ball State on Tuesday (Jan. 22), keyed by Egan Grafel's go-ahead, three-point play with 20 seconds remaining in the contest. Junior guard Jarvis Nichols leads the Huskies with 10.3 points-per-game, while teammates Darion Anderson and Shaun Logan are each chipping in 8.9 points-per-game.
Bowling Green held off Miami, 55-52, on Wednesday (Jan. 23) behind 15 points apiece from forward Nate Miller and guard Darryl Clements. Miller paces the Falcons' offensive attack with 13.1 points-per-game, while front court mate Chris Knight is adding 11.7 points-per-game.
All-Time Series: Northern Illinois holds a 25-23 lead over the Falcons in their all-time series.
The Last Time: NIU senior center James Hughes scored 14 points off the bench to lead four Huskies in double-figures, as NIU snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 73-51 victory over Bowling Green on February 7, 2007.
Like Father, Like Son: NIU head coach Ricardo Patton is one of 13 coaches across America, whose son is playing for his squad. Michael Patton is a freshman point guard for the Huskies, who is averaging 6.5 points-per-game.
Fine Freshman: Huskie guard Darion Anderson is second among MAC freshmen in scoring (as of Jan. 25), as he is averaging 8.9 points-per-game. Bowling Green's Chris Knight tops the MAC with 11.7 points-per-game.
Are You Experienced?: Of NIU's 11 active players, the Huskies have seven student-athletes who are in their first season of Division I basketball.
Calling All Alumni: NIU will hold its 8th Annual Alumni Day on February 2, prior to the Huskies' 2 p.m. showdown against Ohio. Doors will open at 10 a.m. with the Alumni game held at 11 a.m. at the NIU Convocation Center. For more information, contact NIU Director of Marketing Cindy Green at (815) 753-0369 or cmgreen@niu.edu.
"Sixth Man": Although he started the Huskies' last game versus Ball State, junior guard Jarvis Nichols still ranks as the leading "sixth man" in the MAC with his scoring average of 10.3 points per contest. Nichols, the only Huskie scoring in double figures, still qualifies for the sixth man title as he has started just two of NIU's 17 games this season.
Blazin' Bench: The NIU bench outscored the Huskie starters 41-22 in the 77-63 loss to Central Michigan on Saturday (Jan. 18), marking the seventh time this season, the most in NIU Division I history, that the reserves have accomplished that feat. As a team, NIU's bench is averaging 29.4 points-per-game.
Paradise Lost: NIU senior guard Ryan Paradise announced on January 11 that he would hang up his No. 10 jersey due to the pain from the numerous injuries that he has sustained throughout his tenure as a Huskie.
Injury Report: Senior swingman Ben Rand is out indefinitely with plantar facsciitis in his left foot. Freshman Jeremy Landers will be a game-time decision with a right groin strain.
Recruiting Class: NIU head coach Ricardo Patton has inked four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, including guards Mike Dinunno (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben), Bryan Hall (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young), Dominique Johnson (Detroit, Mich./Southwest Tennessee C.C.) and forward Tyler Storm (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) to play for the Huskies in 2008.
Freshman `20': With his 20 point performance against Western Michigan on January 5, guard Michael Patton became NIU's second freshman this season, joining Darion Anderson (23 points, Indiana State, Nov. 20; 22 points, Central Michigan, Jan. 19), to reach the 20-point plateau. The last time NIU had two freshmen each score at least 20 points in a game during a season was during the 1973-74 campaign, when both Carroll Holmes and Ricky Hicks each accomplished that feat.
Knockin' `Em Down: Prior to the beginning of the Mid-American Conference slate, Northern Illinois was shooting 64.8% (169-for-261) from the free throw line. Since then, NIU is shooting 74.4% (67-for-90) from the charity stripe in conference play.
Tight `D': Northern Illinois has tightened its defense since MAC play has begun, as the Huskies are holding conference opponents to a 39.6% shooting percentage. In non-conference play, opponents were shooting 47.6% against the Huskies.
Time Change: Tip-off for Northern Illinois' contest against Akron on February 12 has been changed from 6 p.m. (CST) to 7 p.m. (CST) as the game is now a part of the Mid-American Conference television schedule.
Lost Long Range: Senior Zach Pancratz is sitting out the 2007-08 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery to correct continued instability in his non-shooting arm. Last season, Pancratz led NIU with 51 trifectas.
Found Long Range: Junior guard Jarvis Nichols has been dialing it in from long range for the Huskies in MAC play, as the Carol Stream, Illinois native is knocking down 54.5% (12-for-22) of his three-point attempts.
Making His Presence Felt: Junior forward Sean Smith has become an offensive threat for the Huskies as of late, as the Gary, Indiana native is averaging 12.5 points-per-game in Mid-American Conference action.
My Name Is: Freshman guard Darion Anderson's nickname is `Jake', short for his middle name, Jakeon.
Up Next: Northern Illinois returns home on Wednesday night, as the Huskies welcome Miami (OH) to the NIU Convocation Center for a 7 p.m. (CST) tip-off.
