DeKALB | There weren’t many tricks at the NIU basketball media day, but there were plenty of treats.

NIU men’s basketball coach Rob Judson and women’s basketball coach Carol Owens addressed the media Tuesday afternoon about their respective teams.

Owens stressed the importance of her team’s non-conference schedule. She believes it will prepare the Huskies for the MAC. NIU faces non-conference foes DePaul, Kansas and Illinois.

The women’s team also has three captains this year, a change from last season, when Owens voted herself as the skipper. Seniors Stephanie Raymond, Kristin Wiener and Mary Basic lead the team on the court.

“It makes our job as a staff easier,” Owens said about her new captains. “Having three talented players as captains, saying and doing all the right things, it’s great.”

Judson gave a rundown of his 14-man roster, which returns seven, including one redshirt freshman.

“Ever since signing the new players, I’ve been sleeping like a baby,” Judson joked. “I’ve been waking up every two hours crying.”

Judson looks to continue the success from last season, when the Huskies won their first MAC West title. The keys to repeating will be rebounding and using the three-point shot as a weapon, Judson said.

“I do want to recognize that 20 years ago the three-point line was introduced into college basketball. It’s greatly changed the game,” Judson said. “We want to continue to use that as a weapon here at NIU.”

Last season, the Huskies led the MAC in field goal percentage from behind the three-point line.

Judson will look to senior center James Hughes to lead the team in rebounding. Hughes is the returning MAC Defensive Player of the Year and named to the All-MAC West preseason team.

“I’m just focusing on rebounding,” Hughes said. “I’m pretty sure coach is going to be calling me at night and leaving voicemails. It’s that important.”