After releasing the NIU men’s basketball Mid-American Conference schedule in August, NIU athletics announced the Huskies non-conference slate Friday. The Huskies open conference play in January, facing off against Eastern Michigan University on the road. 

The Huskies’ first home game is Nov. 7 against Holy Cross College.

NIU kicks off the year on the road against Georgia Southern University in the first game of the MAC-SBC (Sun Belt Conference) challenge. The second part of the challenge is set for Feb. 8 and the opponent remains undisclosed. 

The Huskies competed in the challenge last season, overcoming Appalachian State University in November but falling to the University of South Alabama in February. 

NIU will also compete in the DePaul Classic, hosted by DePaul University. 

The DePaul Classic consists of four teams, including NIU. The Huskies will face off against DePaul first, followed by Valparaiso University and will finish the tournament against Eastern Illinois University. 

NIU’s first game tips off on Nov. 4 at Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro, Georgia. The matchup is the first between the two since 2006.