If you are an opponent of the NIU men’s basketball team, you just don’t know who is going to beat you.

“You never know with our team, which guy will have the hot hand,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “That’s the strength of our team, the unpredictability of our interchangeable parts.”

NIU takes its versatile offensive attack on the road to Ohio to kick off a three-game road swing today at 6 p.m.

NIU (13-7 overall, 8-4 MAC) enters riding a season-high four-game winning streak. NIU has shot over 50 percent in its last three games, and is tops in the MAC in field-goal percentage.

“We want to keep taking good shots,” Judson said. “The key is good screens that allow us to get good looks at the basket.”

A preseason coaches poll favorite to win the MAC East, Ohio (13-6, 7-4) is in fourth place in its division. Sophomore forward Leon Williams and senior guard Mychal Green score 11 points per game for Ohio.

NIU defeated Ohio 64-59 on Jan. 17 at the Convocation Center. Green went off for 25 points, but Williams was held to 3 points. Ohio shot a miserable 31 percent in the game, and was beaten on the glass by NIU 41-23.

“Every day we focus on the little things,” Judson said. “Especially this week, we worked on blocking out off the ball.”

Ohio snapped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 93-90 double-overtime victory over Bowling Green Saturday behind a career-high 19 points from guard Antonio Chatman. Ohio started MAC play with a 4-0 record but has went 3-4 in its last seven games.

“Ohio is a very good team,” Judson said. “Especially on their home court, coming off the double overtime win against Bowling Green. They rebound very well on their home court.”

NIU junior center James Hughes has taken over the team scoring lead at 10.7 points per game, and is second in the MAC with 1.5 blocks per game.