After losing its first home game of the season, the NIU men’s basketball team will try to rebound against Toledo at 5:05 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Toledo (14-4 overall, 8-2 MAC) is coming off a 66-63 win Wednesday night against Ball State. NIU (7-11, 2-6) last played on Sunday in an 85-73 loss to Buffalo.

The Rockets were picked fifth out of seven teams in the preseason MAC poll. However, Toledo is tied for the most overall wins in the MAC and has only one more conference loss than West division-leading Western Michigan.

Keith Triplett is the Rockets’ leading scorer and is second in the MAC at 19.4 points per game. The lone senior starter on the team, Triplett ranks in the top 10 in the MAC in six statistical categories.

“Triplett is just plain great,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “It’s a real positive that he’s played four years. He’s an all-conference returnee.”

Last year’s MAC Freshman of the Year Sammy Villegas, who played point guard last season and part of this season, has been moved to off guard. Villegas is scoring 13.9 ppg.

The Rockets’ three other starters are all freshmen, led by Justin Ingram who averages 10.4 ppg.

NIU has won three straight games in the series with Toledo. Since Judson’s arrival, the Huskies are 3-1 overall against Toledo and 2-0 at home.

Four of the last five games against the Rockets in DeKalb have been decided by four points or less.

“Every game from this point on is a big game,” NIU guard Perry Smith said. “We just want to get better for when the MAC tournament comes around.”

Prior to the game, at 1:30 p.m., the fourth annual NIU men’s basketball alumni game will be at the arena.