So far this season, Michigan universities have had the NIU men’s basketball team’s number.

In three games against Michigan schools, the Huskies have walked off the court with three losses, including their past two games.

NIU will try to avoid a Michigan sweep when they take on Eastern Michigan at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Over the past week, NIU (6-9 overall, 2-5 MAC) has lost to Central Michigan and Western Michigan, but according to NIU coach Rob Judson, it’s not because of a lack of effort.

The fourth-year coach feels his team is playing some of its best basketball of the season, but they just haven’t reaped the rewards of it yet.

“We have played all the top teams in the MAC and come close to beating all of them,” Judson said. “We just deserve some success by now.”

Judson hopes that success will come sooner than later, but knows his team will have to keep battling no matter who the opponent is.

Despite the fact that EMU has lost three straight, and only one game on the road, the Huskies are going to have to be on their toes against the Eagles, Judson said.

EMU has four players averaging double-digits in points, and after giving up 27 points to Ben Reed on Wednesday, Judson wants his team to be extra focused on defense.

Note: At halftime of the EMU game, the NIU men’s basketball team and the Northern Illinois University College of Business will donate $13,000 to Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

The donation was raised through the selling of red wrist bands and an anonymous donation of $10,000.