The MAC preseason polls didn’t have NIU or CMU finishing anywhere near the top, but that’s exactly where they stand.

The Huskies and Chippewas were projected fourth and sixth in the MAC West respectively, but now both will battle for first place 2 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.

“The MAC is a very hard conference,” NIU guard Perry Smith said. “The preseason polls are basically opinions from whoever writes the polls. We just want to come out every day and work hard and let that take its toll at the end of the year.”

Both teams have surpassed their win totals from a year ago as NIU has won 14 games after going 12-16 last season. CMU has 16 wins after compiling nine victories in 2001-02.

Ball State (12-11, 7-6 MAC) was predicted atop the MAC West in the preseason, but has suffered as conference preseason First Team selection Theron Smith has been sidelined because of a knee injury. The Cardinals get a shot at CMU tonight when they visit Mount Pleasant.

Ohio (8-12 overall, 5-7 MAC), which was polled as preseason favorite in the East, is fifth out of six East teams.

Alumni await

Prior to NIU’s 2:05 p.m. tipoff with CMU, will be the third annual NIU alumni game at the Convocation Center.

The list of 29 RSVP’s includes first round draft pick Kenny Battle and NIU assistant coaches Donald Whiteside and Carl Armato.

“It’s always nice to have the alumni back,” NIU coach Rob Judson said. “The fact that we’re involved in a close conference race, we hope makes them feel good. Also, we’ll help our players feel the great tradition of NIU basketball.”

Five and counting

Coming off an emotional victory at EMU, the Huskies tied their season-high of five consecutive victories.

On Saturday they will go for a season-long winning streak of six games.

A win against CMU will be the longest win streak for NIU since 1995-96 when the team won nine in a row from Dec.4 through Jan. 11. That was the last time NIU went to the NCAA Tournament. They were knocked out in the first round by No. 8 Texas Tech, 74-73.

Weekend plans?

In the Huskies’ six MAC home games this season, they have improved attendance-wise outside of Akron and Ohio – the only weekday games. Also, Ohio was broadcast on television and had a snowstorm leading up to the game. The highest attendance mark this season for a MAC game came on Feb. 1 against Ball State with 4,206 fans.

“It’s free if you’ve got a OneCard,” Smith joked. “All you gotta do is come and swipe. If you want to see basketball instead of being cramped up in the dorm, then you might as well come and check out the basketball game that your peers are playing in.”