One would think a ‘streak buster’ could be defined as a home game against a last-place team with a 1-13 conference record.

Not so fast. Central Michigan (4-19, 1-13) will be a formidable opponent at 7 p.m. today at the Convocation Center, NIU men’s basketball coach Rob Judson said.

“The thing about the MAC is that you have to play your best every night,” Judson said. “Central Michigan won at Buffalo — a very good team and tough place to play — so our guys know they have to bring it every night. Whether home or away, every game is intensely competitive.”

A three-game losing streak has dropped NIU (13-10, 8-6) into a first-place tie with Western Michigan in the MAC West.

In his return from mild concussive symptoms, NIU’s second-leading scorer James Hughes (9.9 points-per game) saw limited action against Winthrop.

“James hadn’t seen any game contact,” Judson said. “Winthrop was the first time in two weeks, so he should be a little better conditioned now.”

Hughes shoots a team high 57.8 percent from the field; threatening the all time NIU mark set by Allen Rayhorn in 1981-82 (57.5 percent).

Event though NIU will play three consecutive opponents with losing records before a grand finale at Western Michigan March 4, Judson said it is one thing at a time for his team.

“Our focus is very near sighted,” Judson said. “The key to this team all year has been their focus and ability to stay in the moment.”

A pair of guards lead the way for CMU, which NIU beat earlier this 49-43 earlier this season.

Sefton Barrett scores 14.1 points and pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game while sophomore Giordan Watson pours in 13.4 ppg.

But even with the duo, the Chippewas rank last in several offensive categories: points per game with 59.5, average margin of defeat at 8.6 ppg, assists with 10.5 per game.

For NIU, guard Anthony Maestranzi has upped his offensive output lately. The senior has shot 48 percent from three-point land in the last six games and has averaged 9.8 ppg in the same span.

Senior forward Todd Peterson leads NIU in scoring and rebounding with 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

“We played real close [at CMU],” Peterson said. “They’re extremely physical, and they beat Buffalo who is one of the best teams in the MAC.”