With three injuries and one ineligible player on the NIU men’s basketball team, NIU coach Rob Judson expects to work with a 10-man roster for most of the year.

Sophomore Ryan Paradise is still recovering from off-season wrist surgeries on his left hand.

“He’s getting better, but he’s still a ways from being able to compete,” Judson said. “It’s hard to tell; we’ll just have to see. We don’t know if it’ll be a few weeks or a few months.”

Freshman Craig Reichel suffered a deep-bone bruise to his right ankle and is close to healed.

“His ankle is getting close to being 100 percent, but he’s behind in conditioning,” Judson said.

Bryson McKenzie is averaging 3.5 points in 6.5 minutes per game in NIU’s two exhibition games. But he is still recovering from a pair of arthroscopic knee surgeries.

“The knee is healed, but his leg strength is not 100 percent,” Judson said. “Everybody always needs more court time, so the more he has, the better off he’ll be.”

Ben Rand, a transfer from Iowa, is ineligible to play this season due to NCAA regulations.

Huskie Hooptime

Coined by Judson, “Huskie Hooptime” is a new promotional slogan for red silicon bracelets being sold before basketball games and around campus.

The bracelets, engraved with “Huskie Hooptime,” are sold for $1, with proceeds going to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

“We thought we’d use that to connect the students and the community with our basketball program,” Judson said.

Wearers of the Hooptime bracelets will be able to get a free soda and popcorn at the first two home games after Thanksgiving Break against Bradley and Akron.

Beginner’s luck?

Freshman Zach Pancratz has averaged 13.0 points in his first two games as a Huskie.

Judson said he plans on starting the Schaumburg native in the season-opener against Loyola, which would make Pancratz the third freshman to start an opener in Judson’s fourth season as head coach of the Huskies.

“So far, Zach has played well,” Judson said. “You never know with freshmen, but he’s been consistent with his play.”

Huskies sign first recruit

Texas prep standout Quintan Lipkins signed a national letter of intent Nov. 10 to play at NIU next year.

The 5-foot-9 Houston native was third in Texas 4A scoring last season, averaging 24.5 points per game.

“We’re excited about Quintin,” Judson said. “He’s scored a lot of points and plays at a real competitive level. He brings a lot of quickness and speed.”

Cram the Convo, not the turkey

For NIU’s Nov. 24 home opener against Southwest Missouri State at the Convocation Center, Huskie fans around during Thanksgiving Break will receive special deals on concessions and tickets.

Admission, hot dogs and sodas will cost $1 to “cram the Convo,” even if most students aren’t in DeKalb for the game, which is on the eve of Thanksgiving. NIU student admission is still free with an NIU OneCard.

“We had a nice crowd at our game last year and we want to thank the community for supporting our program,” Judson said. “We want to make it a real family night event, where people can bring their family.”

Judson said future “dollar nights” may be in store, but only when most students aren’t in DeKalb, such as over winter or spring break.