Every family reunion usually consists of a few games or competitions, and the same holds true for NIU.

So when the reunion is an alumni basketball game, there’s a good chance that being the No. 1 scorer and rebounder in school history warrants the first pick.

But former Huskie basketball star T.J. Lux warned the two coaches not to make him the first pick for the NIU men’s basketball alumni game at the Convocation Center Saturday at 11 a.m.

“Mike Korcek [NIU Sports Information Director Emeritus] would be smart to stay away form me first,” Lux said. “Some of those younger guys are faster than me.”

But Korcek, one of the coaches, didn’t have the first pick. Former basketball manager and current NIU transportation manager Bill Finucane did.

And he must have missed the memo from Lux, because with the first pick in the eighth annual game Finucane took the 2000 graduate.

With the gutsy first pick, the coach of the Cardinal squad must have had a strategy ready to employ.

“I don’t do any coaching once the roster is set,” Finucane said. “These guys know more than I do; this is just for fun.”

And that’s the key word of the game – fun. While Lux may have scored 1,996 points in four years in DeKalb, his focus on this trip will be pleasure. The former NIU center spent six years playing in Europe and hasn’t set foot on campus since 2000.

“It doesn’t really matter who drafts me. I’m just hoping to make the other coach pay,” Lux said jokingly.

But if it was up to Korcek, Lux wouldn’t be talking so strong; Korcek and Finucane played in the original alumni game. Since then, the two have stuck to their roles on the bench.

But not by choice.

“I don’t want to be embarrassing Lux by dunking over him,” the coach of the black squad said laughing.

No matter who wins, however, it’s all about catching up and sharing stories from the old and new.

Stories like Bobby Wood, NIU’s first graduate to play in the NBA, coming back to play. Or Billy “The Kid” Harris teaching players 20 years younger than him how to talk trash.

These are the moments that make this annual more than a game. It makes it a family reunion.

A Huskie reunion.

The alumni squads

CARDINAL SQUAD: T.J. Lux (1995-2000), Ephraim Eaddy (1998-2000), Marcus Smallwood (2000-04), Walter Thompson (2000-04), Phiffney Dukes (1997-99), Shawn Thrower (1977-81), Art Rohlman (1967-71), Chuck Schramm (1980-81), John Anderson and Dennis Gates.

Head Coach: Bill Finucane (Northern Illinois, 1974).

BLACK SQUAD: Todd Peterson (2002-06), Andre Williams (1997-98), Jonathan Byrd (2003-05), Jay Bates (2001-03), Al Sewasciuk (2000-04), Jerry Williams (1983-87), Dave Pygon (1987-88), Brad Waller (1982-85), Sundance Wicks and Will Smith.

Head Coach: Mike Korcek (Northern Illinois, 1970).