As I watched the women’s basketball team last year, I felt like I was a kid again watching a Disney movie.

Everything played right into that magical scenario except for one thing … the ending.

In Disney movies there is always a happy ending where the underdog defeats the favorite, but that is what was lacking last year. As I got to the ending of the season, or this “movie,” I was waiting for the magic, but I was disappointed when the movie left me with hope instead of glory.

This season though, the team is back for the sequel. In the preseason polls, the Huskies were predicted to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference West, after finishing third a year ago.

Like every sequel, you look forward to seeing the same characters as the first, and the Huskies did that with the exception of Mickey Johnson, who graduated a year ago.

Highlighted by such stars as Kristan Knake as the “playmaker,” Jennifer Youngblood as the “Double-double machine,” Lindsay Secrest as the “Outside Threat,” Jessica Shattuck as the “Enforcer,” Monique Davis as the “Floor General” and Kim Boeding as the “Leader,” the season or “film” looks tantalizing.

Last season, NIU came out of nowhere and finished with a record of 16-16, and 10-6 within the MAC. After starting out 2-9, the Huskies looked like they were in the midst of another losing season.

Poof!

Then came that Disney magic.

A 14-7 run to end the season, and with an excellent conference record, the Huskies even hosted a first-round conference game.

In that game, the Huskies looked awesome, as they defeated Central Michigan 57-35. The team set a new MAC tournament record by allowing only 35 points.

Next came some luck, with the stage set for a classic match-up against Buffalo in Cleveland. The Huskies received a surprise by hearing that Akron had defeated the Bulls. The Huskies then went into Gund Arena determined not to let Akron upset them.

The Huskies defeated the Zips 69-47 to advance to the Conference semifinals against powerhouse Toledo.

Suprisingly though, I watched this “movie” only to have the ending ruined by a bunch of Rockets. I was extremely disappointed, but I regained some happiness when I heard word that a sequel was in the making. One with old characters that we all loved, as well as new faces.

Well folks, the time has come. The Hollywood, or NIU, premiere is tonight with the film opening nationwide on Friday, Nov. 16th.

I for one, am looking forward to this sequel and for the Huskies to defeat the favorites and provide all of NIU with that heartfelt feeling that everyone gets at the end of a Disney movie.