When Rob Judson walked into Chick Evans Field House on Tuesday, he already noticed a difference in the NIU men’s basketball team.

Three weeks removed from the first-round 89-57 loss to Ball State, the Huskies have been playing pick-up games and have increased their days in the weight room. They are working out three times a week and will meet at the fieldhouse five days a week.

“This is great,” Judson said. “My excitement stems from their excitement. They have taken it on their own to lift weights and to play pick-up ball. I am a big commitment person. I like players who demonstrate that they want to work when they aren’t made to work.”

Judson was hired March 6, a day after the Huskies’ first-round loss in the Mid-American conference tournament. He replaced former interim coach Andy Greer, who replaced Brian Hammel, who resigned Dec. 6 because he felt that he was no longer an asset to the program.

The search for assistant coaches will start soon, Judson said. A lot of people have contacted the newly-appointed coach about the three assistant coaching positions. Judson said he has been working with some people closely and could start hiring next week.

Two people interested in the openings are Peoria Manual boy’s head coach Wayne McClain and Rockford College head coach Carl Armato. McClain is also up for Judson’s job at Illinois.

Despite being on the job officially for one day, Judson’s winning attitude has been noticed by the Huskies, said freshman point guard Walter Thompon, and as of Tuesday, there will be a different NIU basketball program.

“Right now, I am very excited for having coach Judson here,” Thompson said. “He is going to do a lot for this program. Everyone has a positive attitude about him, not because he is our coach but because of the attitude he has brought here to NIU.

“There is a different Northern Illinois program out there today. Everyone is serious out there. We have all been through the fire. Now we are all trying to get to heaven.”

Sophomore guard Marcus Jankus hasn’t noticed a difference on the court, but he has noticed one off the court. He said the team is finally working together on the same page.

“We are coming out ready to play every day,” he said. “We definitely want to start off on the right foot now and take it into summer.”