Some may see it as odd that Ricardo Patton wants nothing to change about the attitude of a 6-11 team.

If Patton has learned one thing about this year’s Huskies, it’s that they’re motivation level is unquestionable.

On their most recent road trip, the Huskies (6-11, 2-3 MAC) dropped a 66-64 decision to Central Michigan and an 82-80 heartbreaker at Western Michigan.

Getting back into the friendly confines of the Convocation Center on Wednesday evening, Patton knows his team will show up for the 6:30 p.m. tip off with a winning mindset.

“This team has shown the ability to bounce back,” Patton said. “After the loss to Central Michigan, we came out against Western Michigan ready to play. It’s a good feeling to know that your kids are going to bounce back from adversity.”

In his first year with NIU, JUCO transfer Tim Toler has been just as impressed as Patton with the resiliency shown.

“Those two loses against CMU and WMU just made us stronger,” Toler said. “As far as our team coming together and playing were doing a great job.”

The loss against Western Michigan represented the Huskies 11th loss this season, but Toler still believes the goal set out at the beginning of the season is attainable.

“We just have to continue to build on what we have and keep our eyes on one thing,” Toler said. “And that’s getting to a MAC championship.”

Going against the first MAC East opponent of the season, NIU forward Jeremy Landers looks forward to playing a team not seen often in DeKalb.

“It’s big going against the East, it’s sort of a one and done deal,” Landers aid. “This might be the last time I get to face Akron and that’s the way I have to approach it.”

Just from watching the Huskies, Akron head coach Keith Dambrot has seen improvement in Northern Illinois from last year.

“Obviously they have one of the best players in the league in Xavier Silas. You have to start game planning for him so he doesn’t hurt you by himself,” Dambrot said. “Tim Toler is scoring a lot of points and they have a very quick point guard. If you can keep their best guy from scoring, you have a chance to win.”

Dambrot emphasizes a defensive game plan, but Patton has no problem with getting locked in a defensive battle with the Zips.

“Whether there’s very little scoring or a lot it doesn’t matter,” Patton said. “Its just how the game shakes out, if you look at our team we have showed the ability to put points on the board. Whether we have to win in the 50’s 60’s or 70’s, it doesn’t matter to me.