Still in pursuit of its second Mid-American Conference win, NIU women’s basketball hasn’t lived up to its preseason expectations.
After suffering a 74-60 loss against Bowling Green State University on Saturday, the Huskies are now 1-5 in the conference play. The defeat is also the Huskies’ fifth consecutive loss.
NIU has the talent, experience and all the makings to punch its ticket to Cleveland, but hasn’t looked like a MAC tournament caliber team this season. Here’s what I believe have been the team’s three biggest downfalls.
TOO MANY TURNOVERS
Averaging a league-worst turnover margin (-5.12 per game), the Huskies inability to retain possession of the ball has proven costly this season.
Sitting at tied for second to last place in the MAC – across NIU’s last three games – the Huskies’ have suffered 19 turnovers, 23 turnovers and 16 turnovers.
If the Huskies were as efficient at securing the ball as they are at preventing turnovers (second-least in the MAC), NIU would have a much better record.
MISSING STARPOWER
Although she leads the team in scoring, graduate student guard Chelby Koker hasn’t returned to her 2022-2023 role of carrying the team. Averaging 11.9 points per game, Koker posted a much more productive season prior to facing a season-ending injury.
Following the 2021-22 season, for example, Koker averaged 17.8 points per game. The season prior, Koker eclipsed 20 points per game, averaging a career-high 21.1 points. Since the injury, Koker just hasn’t been the same.
While her shifty playstyle and playmaking ability remain, Koker’s 64 turnovers this season tell a different story.
For perspective, redshirt sophomore forward Brooke Blumenfeld has 47 turnovers this season and is second on the team. Furthermore, Koker averages the most turnovers in the MAC (4.6 per game), which is also the seventh most in the NCAA.
CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR
After watching nearly all of the Huskies’ games this season – no matter the opponent – I believe NIU is unable to put together a full game. In every contest, at least one quarter per game sets the team back.
For example, in their last matchup against Bowling Green, the Huskies had a productive third quarter and brought the contest within one point. Despite gaining momentum, the Huskies ended up losing by double-digits.
Even against weaker opponents, such as the Huskies’ matchup against Chicago State University (1-19, 1-4 NEC) on Nov. 20, the Huskies won relatively comfortably, but certainly kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Coming into the game as heavy favorites, the Huskies faced a one-point deficit after the first quarter. Despite holding the lead for the remainder of the night – aside from an 18-point second quarter point differential – Chicago State kept the third quarter within one point and outscored NIU by nine points in the fourth quarter.
The Huskies look to regain competitiveness in the MAC at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, taking on Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
