With NIU’s spring sports ramping up and winter sports dying down, NIU Athletics faces one of the busiest times of the year. While certain teams have hit their stride, others have cracked under the pressure.
Here are two high points, as well as two low points, from NIU Athletics in the month of February.
HIGH: WRESTLING FINISHES UNDEFEATED
NIU wrestling finished February with a perfect 3-0 record, reminding fans they are one of NIU’s best programs.
The Huskies’ month of success was highlighted by redshirt sophomore Markel Baker snatching a 7-6 victory over the then-No. 2 ranked California Polytechnic State University sophomore Zeth Romney.
As a result, Baker was named Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week while fueling a 25-19 dual victory against Cal Poly on Valentine’s Day.
NIU also snatched wins against the University at Buffalo on Feb. 7 and against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Feb. 22.
Getting hot at the right time, the Huskies are poised to make a run at the MAC Championship on March 7.
LOW: MEN’S BASKETBALL LEAVES WINLESS
Failing to piece together a win in February, men’s basketball left the shortest month of the year with a staggering record of 0-8. As the first team to be eliminated from March Madness, February rounded out a treacherous three month stretch for the Huskies.
Of the eight losses, most came in devastating fashion. For example, four losses were by four points or less, with seven coming within 10 points.
Nonetheless, NIU has faced adversity at a seemingly constant rate, cementing themselves as last place in the MAC.
HIGH: WOMEN’S TENNIS GOES 6-1
NIU women’s tennis has shown to be one of NIU’s strongest programs early this season. In February, the Huskies cemented that premise after going 6-1.
The Huskies’ stretch of dominance includes a six-game win streak, featuring wins against Bradley University, the University of South Dakota, University of Sioux Falls and Valparaiso University.
Out of the six wins, four were sweeps.
Furthermore, NIU has had multiple athletes earn recognition from the MAC. Junior Jenna Horne and senior Reagan Welch were named MAC Doubles Team of the Week on Feb. 18 and freshman Irmak Budak was named MAC Singles player of the week on Monday.
LOW: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK
NIU women’s basketball opened the month of February looking promising. Before falling to a MAC-heavyweight in Buffalo, the Huskies overcame Kent State University on Feb. 26 to kick off a three-game winning streak.
After going on the winning spree, the Huskies put themselves in a position to compete for a MAC Championship in Cleveland. That is until NIU shot themselves in the foot, going on a three-game losing skid to some of the MAC’s weakest opponents.
Kicked off by a 74-70 loss to Ohio University on Feb. 19, the Huskies proceeded to lose to Eastern Michigan University and Kent State University. As a result, the Huskies’ fell in the conference standings and eradicated hope of a postseason berth.
Despite sabotaging their own efforts, NIU’s playoff hopes remain alive. Unfortunately for the Huskies, NIU faces an uphill battle in the last two games of the season. The Huskies first face the University of Toledo – the MAC’s second-seeded team – on Wednesday and Miami University (OH) – the MAC’s fourth-seeded team – on Saturday.
