Nothing functions correctly if the batteries are dead. That's what an ‘unenergized' NIU men's basketball team experienced as it snuck out an 80-70 win against Central Michigan (4-20 Overall, 1-14 MAC) at the Convocation Center Wednesday night. "Throughout...

One would think a ‘streak buster' could be defined as a home game against a last-place team with a 1-13 conference record. Not so fast. Central Michigan (4-19, 1-13) will be a formidable opponent at 7 p.m. today at the Convocation Center, NIU men's...

The NIU women's basketball team is within striking distance of a .500 MAC record. With three games left, NIU (10-14, 6-7) must win two of three games to finish with an 8-8 conference record for the first time since the 2002-03 season. In the past two...

Not even a scripted TV show could match the drama that occurred in the ESPN Bracket Buster between the NIU men's basketball team and Winthrop. While the Huskies held the lead for the bulk of the game it's the score at the end that matters, and after double...

Four years ago, two mid-major schools, one from Washington, the other Oklahoma, rescheduled their game and helped to create the ESPN Bracket Buster Challenge. That was back in 2003 when a game between Gonzaga and Tulsa was the main attraction of an 18-team...

The NIU basketball teams' seasons are winding down, the MAC tournaments are around the corner and — at least for other schools — March Madness is on the horizon. What better time for a state of the basketball address? Well, maybe two weeks ago, but...

If your idea of romance involves watching a sporting event, you have two problems. First, you should probably get out more — maybe try dinner and a movie. And if you're an NIU sports fan, your second problem is you've probably had your heart broken...

It has been 80 minutes of game time — four halves — since the NIU men's basketball team held a lead. To label the first two legs of a three-game road swing as unkind to NIU would be an understatement. The last time the Huskies led a game was against...

The biggest loss for the NIU men's basketball team Sunday took place before the game even started. The absence of leading scorer James Hughes and a 7-0 deficit to start the game paved the way for Kent State to post a 67-55 victory. NIU (13-9 overall,...

Ohio proved that all good things must end by snapping the NIU men's basketball team's four-game winning streak with a 78-67 win Thursday night. A sloppy start marred by four early turnovers and the absence of leading scorer James Hughes forced NIU to...

If you are an opponent of the NIU men's basketball team, you just don't know who is going to beat you. "You never know with our team, which guy will have the hot hand," NIU coach Rob Judson said. "That's the strength of our team, the unpredictability...

Editors note: Point/Counterpoint features two members of the Northern Star sports staff in a debate about topics in the NIU sporting world. Sean Ostruszka: Let's face it. The MAC East is just too good. Jarrod Rice: Yeah, the MAC East is tough, but the...