Cleveland, Ohio - Northern Illinois begins its postseason on Wednesday (Mar. 12) afternoon, as the 11th seeded Huskies battle Central Michigan in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Huskies are coming off of a 82-63 defeat at the hands of Eastern Michigan on Sunday (Mar. 9) afternoon. Senior forward Shaun Logan led the Huskies with a season-high tying 20 points. NIU freshman guard Darion Anderson paces the Huskie offensive attack with 11.9 points-per-game.
CMU dropped a 90-83 overtime decision to Toledo on Sunday, despite a 21-point outing from senior guard Giordan Watson. Watson tops the Chippewas with 16.4 points-per-game.
All-Time Series: Northern Illinois holds a 47-38 lead over the Chippewas in their all-time series.
The Last Time: Central Michigan's Marko Spica came off the bench for a team-best 19 points, as the visiting Chippewas earned the 80-73 win over the Huskies on `Senior Day' on March 1, 2008. Freshman guard Darion Anderson posted a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Huskies.
The Last Time In The MAC Tournament: Northern Illinois and Central Michigan last met in the MAC Tournament on March 14, 2003, as the Chippewas, behind 23 points and 14 rebounds from Chris Kaman, earned the 94-72 semifinal victory over the Huskies. NIU senior Jay Bates led the Huskies with 29 points.
NIU At The MAC Tournament: NIU is looking for their first win in Cleveland since a 75-63 victory over fifth-seeded Western Michigan in the MAC Quarterfinals on March 13, 2003.
Fine Freshman: The Mid-American Conference announced on Tuesday (Mar. 11) afternoon, that Northern Illinois guard Darion Anderson was named the 2008 MAC Freshman of the Year. Anderson earned the same award from www.midampub.com.
Perfect From The Line: Junior guard Jarvis Nichols knocked down both of his free throw attempts against Eastern Michigan on Sunday (Mar. 9), extending his consecutive free throw streak to 29. Nichols needs to drain his next five charity shots to break the NIU record of 33, set by Todd Peterson during the 2005-06 campaign.
Charity Stripe: Northern Illinois went to the free throw line 46 times against Central Michigan on March 1, marking the most attempts in a game since the Huskies attempted 53 against Texas A&M on January 5, 1994.
Movin' On Up: Freshman guard Darion Anderson is the first Huskie rookie to lead the squad in scoring (11.9 ppg.) since NIU all-time leading scorer T.J. Lux averaged 15.2 points-per-game during the 1995-96 season. Anderson, who has scored 320 points this year, needs three more points to pass Donnell Thomas for third place in NIU history for most points scored in a single-season by a freshman.
Across The Board: Freshman guard Darion Anderson is inching closer to becoming the first Huskie player in school history, since assists were recorded, to lead NIU in scoring, rebounding and assists. Anderson currently leads the squad in scoring (11.9 ppg.) and assists (2.7), but trails Shaun Logan by eight caroms for the team lead in rebounds.
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 6.9 points-per-game.
20/20 Vision: Both Darion Anderson (24 points) and Michael Patton (22 points) reached the 20-point plateau against Akron on February 12, marking the first time since March 4, 2006 that the Huskies had two players score 20 points in the same contest. Todd Peterson posted a game-high 24 points, while Anthony Maestranzi had 20 tallies to help NIU to the 74-59 win and 2006 MAC West Division title over Western Michigan.
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.
Welcome Back Jake: Since his return to the starting line-up, freshman guard Darion Anderson is averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists-per-game in NIU's last 11 contests.
Hot Shooting: NIU shot a season-best 64.6% (31-for-48) from the field against Akron on February 12, their best performance since a 65.0% (26-for-40) outing against Toledo on January 24, 2006. It was their best road shooting performance since February 19, 1983, when the Huskies shot 64.8% (35-for-54) against Toledo.
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.
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, to reach the 20-point plateau in a game. 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.
Blazin' Bench: The NIU bench outscored the Huskie starters 41-22 in the 77-63 loss to Central Michigan on January 18, marking the seventh time this season, the most in NIU Division I history, that the reserves have accomplished that feat.
