Game Notes: Western Michigan Vs. Northern Illinois

Tonight in DeKalb, Illinois the Western Michigan University Men’s basketball team will take on the Northern Illinois Huskies in a MAC West divisional showdown. The two teams met earlier this season with the Broncos coming out victorious 77-68. This will be the 79th meeting between these two teams, with the Broncos holding a 49-29 advantage in the all-time series. The Broncos are 12-5 against Northern Illinois under head coach Steve Hawkins, including a 3-4 record in DeKalb. WMU enters the game with a record of 10-15 and 4-7 in MAC play. The Broncos have dropped 4 games in a row for the first time since opening the season 0-6. The last 3 games for the Broncos they have lost by a total of 10 points including 2 games that went into overtime.

The Huskies (3-20, 2-9 MAC) are led by senior forward Tim Toler. Toler is averaging a team high 10.8 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. NIU has struggled offensively this year, averaging only 55 points per game, ranking them 340^th in the NCAA. Defensively they are allowing 68 points per game to opponents.

During the Broncos last game against Buffalo, Matt Stainbrook recorded his 3rd double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Flenard Whitfield and Demetrius Ward also scored in double figures against Buffalo.   

WMU is currently 8^th in the MAC and must remain in the top 8 to open the MAC tournament with a home game. NIU in last place in the MAC. The Broncos are an 8 point favorite.