It’s a wonderful thought for NIU men’s basketball coach Rob Judson.

At 6 p.m. today, the Huskies will step onto the court in Kalamazoo, Mich. and try to end Western Michigan’s 24-game home win streak, which is tied for second in the nation with Oklahoma State.

The Broncos (12-3 overall) sit atop the MAC with a 5-0 conference record and are a team NIU feels it should have defeated earlier this year.

To make them walk off the court of University Arena with a loss doesn’t just make Judson smile; it makes him laugh out loud.

“It goes without saying of how that would feel,” Judson said. “Not just to end their streak, but also to beat the top team in the MAC right now.”

On Jan. 2, the Huskies (6-8, 2-4 MAC) missed an opportunity for a big win when they lost by three points at the Convocation Center.

NIU held a six-point lead with 4:13 left before the Broncos came back. A few solid trips down the floor on offense would have made the difference, Judson said.

“That’s what happens when you have a young team who is still learning the value of every possession,” Judson said. “They are learning how to finish.”

But NIU has more to worry about than just offensive possessions.

WMU has two of the MAC’s top five scorers in Ben Reed and Levi Rost. The duo combine for an average of 35.7 points per game.

“We definitely have to try and limit their touches and how many looks they have at the basket,” Judson said. “They are going to score, but we just can’t let them beat us.”

Not to be forgotten is the home crowd -WMU averages 3,618 fans in five home games this season. A team doesn’t win 24 in a row without strong support and that is something WMU has, Judson said.

But the win streak is a challenge the Huskies look forward to. A challenge that doesn’t just make Judson smile.