NIU’s most prolific passer in school history, former guard Jay Bryant, returned home on Saturday as a member of the opposition.

Bryant, the Huskies’ career leader in assists (367), is in his first year as an assistant coach for Ball State. His return to DeKalb wasn’t a pleasant one for his Cardinals, however, as NIU won 78-60.

“It’s nice to come back,” Bryant said. “I saw a lot of familiar faces, but you know I’m on the other side of the court now, true Cardinal.”

Playing from 1976-80, the 6-foot-5 Bryant has returned to NIU the past two seasons to play in the alumni game, but got his first look at the Convocation Center on Saturday. He was invited to play in this year’s game on Feb. 22, but was forced to decline because Ball State plays in an ESPN Bracket Buster Game that day.

“This is a stadium that Northern needed a long time ago,” Bryant said. “The fans were behind them [Saturday], and they needed that.”

As for the assist record, Bryant was surprised that it was still in tact. However, he did credit today’s players with being more athletic, and said the team’s aren’t as reliant on passing.

Ball State coach Tim Buckley, who added Bryant to his staff before the season, knows he will be a great addition to the Cardinals’ coaching staff.

“His passion for the game and the way he competed as a player, hopefully he can bring that to our team,” Buckley said.

Bryant has more of an affiliation to NIU than just playing here. He and NIU coach Rob Judson played against each other during their days in high school.

“I was kidding him when he came into the gym today that this was his house,” Judson said. “I know it’s special when you’ve played somewhere and you have an opportunity to come back. Jay’s a great coach and he’s got a great future in college basketball.”