Baseball does not begin for another two months, but NIU will try to avoid striking out on the basketball court tonight.

The Huskie men’s basketball team plays Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich., at 6:45. It will be the third time the two teams have met this year, with the Broncos emerging on top in the first two. NIU cruises into Read Field House with an 8-13 record, and Western Michigan comes in at 10-9 overall and 6-3 in the Mid-American Conference.

NIU enters with a 1-10 record in games outside DeKalb.

“We looked them (the Huskies) squarely in the eye after the Florida International game and told them we have to win one on the road,” said NIU Coach Jim Rosborough. “I think we will be very involved.”

“The good news is we’ve beaten them twice,” said Western Michigan Coach Vernon Payne. “The bad news is I like to play gin rummy, but I can’t beat my wife three straight times. And I’m good, and she’s bad.”

The Huskies lost to the Broncos the first time at the Wyoming Shootout 92-80. Western Michigan forward Booker James did a number on NIU with 41 points. James leads the team in scoring and rebounds with 21 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Game two at the Chick Evans Field House was the same day Jim Edmondson allegedly punched Tom Sellers’ jaw. Edmondson was not a factor in the game and will not play this time because he is academically ineligible. Sellers also is out for this one. Rosborough said Monday he was not mentally into that game. James was, though, scoring 22 points and pulling down nine rebounds in the Broncos’ 80-73 win.

“They’ve outscrapped us on both occasions,” said Rosborough on why NIU lost both games. “I don’t know that we have a whole bunch of advantages. We’ve got size, but they’ve got the quickness.

“We have had problems with Booker. The main thing is he’s quick, and we are struggling a bit defensively. He’s hurt us on hustle, desire, quick spin moves and offensive rebounds.”

osborough said he probably would have either Eric Harrington or Matt Hardy guard James.

The Broncos have won five straight games, including Monday night’s 83-57 steamrolling of Lake Superior State. Other victims include Toledo, Bowling Green State, Ohio and Central Michigan. The Broncos and Central Michigan are tied for second place in the MAC.

“There are two reasons,” said Payne whe asked about the win streak. “Our defense has improved, and we’re getting excellent play from our bench. Ned Hellman, a post player, has just really given us quality minutes.”

Payne also mentioned the play of forward Greg Rapp and guard Chris Brawley against Ohio. Rapp was 6-of-6 from the field, while Brawley was 5-of-5.

Payne said he was disappointed NIU students were not around during semester break when the Broncos came to DeKalb because the verbal abuse section constantly pointed out his likeness to Richard Pryor. This likeness also has been pointed out by others in airports.

“That happened at the Cowboy Shootout and then again in Cleveland,” he said. “But my language is better.”