A month removed from the new year, some NIU sports teams are kicking off their spring season while others are continuing business as usual. In January, teams like men’s and women’s basketball struggled while women’s tennis and wrestling shined.
Here are two high points, as well as two low points from NIU Athletics in January.
HIGH: WRESTLING SEES CONFERENCE SUCCESS
After back-to-back Mid-American Conference victories, NIU wrestling is second in the MAC-West standings. Ater falling to Central Michigan University on Jan. 17, the Huskies are undefeated in conference play since.
First, the Huskies snatched a victory against the previously undefeated and MAC-West leading Ohio University Bobcats. NIU defeated Ohio in a thrilling 21-20 duel.
After conquering the Bobcats, NIU pulled off a second-straight MAC victory against the Cleveland State University Vikings on Friday.
Led by redshirt junior Blake West, the No. 13 ranked 125 pound wrestler in the NCAA – according to Wrestle Stat – the Huskies are knocking on the door of first place Ohio with a MAC championship upside.
LOW: MEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS SEVEN-GAME LOSING STREAK
Upon the start of MAC play, labeling NIU men’s basketball’s play as rough would be an understatement. At this point, the Huskies’ chances at a postseason appearance are long behind them after going 1-7 in January.
Kicking off the new year with a 75-71 loss against Eastern Michigan University on Jan. 4, the Huskies proceeded to drop their next six contests. NIU broke its losing streak with a 76-66 victory against Ball State University on Jan. 25.
Throughout the timeframe of abysmal play, NIU averaged 36.3% from behind the arch. Furthermore, on average, the Huskies lost by a score of just under 14 points per game in the timespan.
After losing half of their roster in the offseason, it isn’t a surprise that the Huskies are struggling.
HIGH: WOMEN’S TENNIS START SEASON OFF STRONG
In January, women’s tennis was NIU’s most successful program. Since the new year, the Huskies have gone 5-2, with their only losses coming against major programs in the University of Missouri and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Huskies remained dominant through the winning stretch, shutting out opponents out in all five victories this season.
NIU has also had two tennis players receive conference honors, as freshman Lucia Yecora shared this week’s MAC Singles Player of the Week Award while junior Nataly Ninova snatched the award on Jan. 20.
LOW: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK
Similar to their male counterparts, NIU’s women’s basketball had a rough month. Although the Huskies kicked off January with a stunning upset over the University of Toledo, unfortunately for the Huskies, NIU’s luck has since dissipated.
Following the victory of the 2023-24 MAC regular season champions, the Huskies went cold and dropped the next five games. NIU broke the streak Jan. 22 against the winless Eastern Michigan University Eagles.
The win didn’t generate momentum, though, as the Huskies proceeded to suffer two blowout losses in their next two games.
