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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Junior quarterback Rocky  Lombardi winds up to throw a pass in NIU's 41-23 victory over Kent State in the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 4 in Detroit. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

NIU heading to Orlando to play in Cure Bowl

By Northern Star Staff | December 5, 2021

DeKALB — After capturing the Mid-American Conference championship, the Huskies will head to Orlando to face Coastal Carolina University in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 17. NIU won the MAC Championship Game in Detroit on Saturday, beating the Kent State...

Head men's basketball coach Rashon Burno coaches on his team during a practice at the Convocation Center. Burno became the Huskies head coach in March, joining from Arizona State University.

Men’s basketball routed in Dayton

By Davione Barrow, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The University of Dayton Flyers dominated the Huskies 79-41 on Saturday in Dayton.  The Flyers came out of the game aggressive on both sides of the ball to start and did not let up. The first play of the game was an alley-oop dunk by...

Junior guard Chelby Koker possesses the ball during an exhibition on Oct. 29 against Benedictine University at the Convocation Center. Koker scored

Koker’s scoring can’t carry NIU past Panthers

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The women’s basketball team suffered a second-straight loss in the Compass Challenge, falling short to the Eastern Illinois University Panthers 87-81 Saturday in Macomb. Junior guard Chelby Koker led the way for the Huskies, recording...

NIU players celebrate in front of their fans after their 41-23 victory over Kent State on Dec. 4 in Detroit. The Huskies become the first team in FBS history to win a conference championship game after going winless the year prior. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

Huskies go from worst to first

By James Krause | December 4, 2021

DETROIT — When NIU was voted to finish last in the conference, head coach Thomas Hammock had a message for his team. “We are the best team in the MAC until proven otherwise,” Hammock said. “Obviously, nobody has proven otherwise.” After...

Junior guard Chelby Koker (right) dribbles past a defender in NIU's exhibition game against Benedictine on Oct. 29.

Huskies go down to Leathernecks

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Reporter | December 4, 2021

DeKALB — The women’s basketball team saw their two-game winning streak snapped after being defeated by the Western Illinois University Leathernecks 92-83 in overtime in the opening matchup of the Compass Challenge Friday night.  The Huskies played...

COVID-freshman wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph had 309 receiving yards in NIU's 52-47 loss to the Kent State Golden Flashes on Nov. 3.

Best college football matchups for Dec. 4

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | December 3, 2021

This week is Championship week in College Football, and here are the biggest matchups coming up this weekend for one of the most exciting weeks of the season.  MAC Championship Game: NIU vs. Kent State  This will be a rematch between these two teams...

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, front, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Denver.

Top 3 NBA headlines for Dec. 3

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter | December 3, 2021

Lebron ends November with a suspension and COVID-19  The face of the NBA and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James has had a tough week and a half, to say the least. The Lakers superstar was involved in an altercation with Detroit Pistons forward...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. Brown and two other NFL players have been suspended immediately for three games by the league for violating COVID-19 protocols.

Top 3 NFL headlines of week 13

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 2, 2021

The first week of December brings plenty of NFL headlines as teams around the league look to make a final push for the postseason. NFL suspends two Buccaneers players, one free agent for COVID-19 violations The NFL announced Thursday that it had suspended...

A basketball sits on the court of a large stadium.

Puma’s deal with a high school phenom and what it could mean for the future

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | December 2, 2021

Five-star recruit Mikey Williams signed a multi-year deal with Puma on Oct. 29, becoming the first high school student athlete in America to sign a shoe deal. Williams, a 6-foot-2 junior from San Diego, currently attends school and plays basketball...

Sophomore guard Keshawn Williams drives against the Eastern Illinois defense during their game on Dec. 2.  Williams scored a career-high 24 points.

Williams’ scores career-high in win

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 2, 2021

DeKALB — Men’s basketball defeated the visiting Eastern Illinois University Panthers 55-45 in their regular season home-opener Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Keshawn Williams surpassed his career-high in points scored in a game, posting 24 points....

The scene pre-game on the United Center court.

Pippen doesn’t understand Jordan’s legacy

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | December 1, 2021

Scottie Pippen, a six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, released his memoir “Unguarded” on Nov. 9, addressing the Bulls Dynasty in the ‘90s and his journey to the NBA after ESPN dropped a documentary series called “The Last Dance” in 2020...

Freshman running back Jay Ducker carries the ball during the first half of NIUs 34-26 victory against the Bowling Green Falcons, Saturday in Dekalb.

Hammock, Ducker among MAC honors

By Northern Star Staff | December 1, 2021

DeKALB — Head football coach Thomas Hammock and COVID-freshman running back Jay Ducker received conference honors from the Mid-American Conference Wednesday for their 2021 efforts. Hammock was named MAC Coach of the Year after improving the Huskies...