There is a buzz surrounding the NIU men’s basketball team, which is why two of the three largest newspapers in Illinois sent reporters to the Huskies game Saturday.

It isn’t often that there is a buzz about a team that hasn’t won a game in more than a month and has lost its last eight games – that’s counting Saturday’s 67-62 setback to Ball State. But this wasn’t a positive buzz.

The Huskies’ top scorer and rebounder, Marcus Smallwood, did not make the team’s road trip last week because of a “coach’s decision,” and many wanted to know if Smallwood would dress or even show for Saturday’s game. Smallwood did not play; he sat on the team’s bench in a team windbreaker. Head coach Rob Judson said Smallwood will play in NIU’s next game Wednesday at home against Bowling Green.

While neither Judson nor Smallwood would talk about the reason for the suspension, sources close to the team said it had to do with Smallwood being late for practices and talking back to Judson.

After the game, there was an extra press conference held after the normal game questions were answered. Despite this, no answers were given, and Smallwood’s situation is left for unnamed sources to comment.

“Because of team and individual concerns, we’ve addressed those concerns and are moving forward,” Judson said. “Marcus has another opportunity to be a positive teammate and have a fine career. We’re looking forward to him competing with a strong contribution.”

During the initial press conference with NIU players James Hughes, Paige Paulsen and Perry Smith, media members were told not to ask questions about Smallwood or they would be stopped.

“I’m just excited about coming back and looking forward to it,” Smallwood said. “It was for the team’s best interest. But you always want to be with your teammates. I wish this whole thing would’ve never happened. But people make mistakes and you address them and you go from there.”

Saturday was the third game in a row Smallwood did not play in and fourth in a row where he did not start. Smallwood is the MAC’s only returning first-team all-conference player. Prior to his absences, he was the MAC’s leader with six double-doubles, but since has been passed.

In the last three games Smallwood played, he averaged 8.8 points and 6.6 rebounds, down from his season averages of 14.3 ppg and 9.7 rpg. In the last game Smallwood played Feb. 4 against Kent State, he played only 24 minutes, down from his team-high 31 minutes per game. In that game, Smallwood finished with four points and six rebounds.