NIU would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Those three sports cliches apply to NIU’s first game against tonight’s 7:00 Chick Evans Field House opponent, Florida International.

In the teams’ first outing, a 70-67 Huskie loss, NIU (10-9) would’ve won if they had been able to contain the Panther’s Cesar Bochachica (16 points) and Ruben Colon (14).

The Huskies could’ve won if Bobby Smith’s desperation shot at the buzzer had sent the game into overtime.

NIU should’ve won against the 4-15 Panthers, who will never be mistaken for the Boston Celtics.

Huskie coach Jim Molinari is wary of the Panthers who seem to have NIU’s number, winning their last four outings against the Huskies.

“They’ve got good athletes, especially inside. This game will be a real test for us, especially coming after a loss (66-47 at Wright State).

“They’re a good team and they’ll come in thinking that they can beat us again, (so) we have to shoot well and play good defense.”

Molinari, however, downplays any revenge factor that his squad may have against FI.

“It’s not a big factor, but when you lose against a team you do want to win, especially at home where we have only one loss. We’re 10th in the nation in scoring defense and we take pride in that. They have good players and we just have to work hard.”

The Panthers are led in scoring by six-foot-nine forward Corey Walker who’s averaging 15.5 points per game. Walker is coming off of a season-best 32-point effort against Maryland-Eastern Shore last week. Three other starters are averaging double figures for the Panthers.

The Huskies held Walker to 11 points in the first game between the squads. NIU was led by Donnell Thomas’ 21 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Hidden’s career-high 14 points.

Thomas needs 12 more points to move into the ninth spot on the all-time Huskie scoring list. The “D-Train” has 1,164 points in his third year of wearing the Cardinal and Black. Thomas is leading the Huskies in scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.7 and 7.7, respectively. Donald Whiteside is the other Huskie scoring in double figures for Molinari’s squad, averaging 10.9 per game.

NIU is hoping to build on its 8-1 record at Chick Evans Field House. The Huskie’s only loss this season in the “Dog House” was in early January to Northern Iowa, 63-62 on a last-second tip-in. The Huskies aren’t the only ones to taste defeat at the hands of Northern Iowa. The Panthers have built a 14-5 season record, including a victory over Iowa.

The Huskies will be without the services of sophomore forward Brian Banks for the FI game. The Chicago native has been suspended from the team for “disciplinary reasons”. Banks is expected back after sitting out tonight’s game, according to Molinari.