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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 guard David Coit surveys the court with Ball State junior guard Jaylin Anderson guarding him in an NIU men's basketball game on Tuesday. Coit scored a game-high 28 points Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Shorthanded Huskies run out of gas against Ball State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 21, 2024

DeKALB – A depleted NIU men’s basketball team (9-17, 3-10 MAC) was outlasted by the Ball State University Cardinals (13-13, 5-8 MAC) 70-63 Tuesday. The Huskies felt the absence of starters sophomore forward Xavier Amos and junior guard Zarique Nutter...

Senior defensive tackle James Ester eyes his opponent in an NIU football home game against the University of Tulsa on Sep. 23, 2023. Ester is one of the few NIU football players that have declared the 2024 NFL Draft. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Previewing the 2024 NFL Draft prospects from the MAC

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 20, 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25 in Detroit, Michigan when 257 prospects will be drafted. Only two players from the MAC were invited to the NFL Combine – none from NIU – but one Huskie has the potential to make the pros.  The NFL Combine...

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets ready to throw a pass during Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP after leading the Chiefs to a game-winning drive in overtime. (Ashley Landis | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl MVPs

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | February 20, 2024

Every Super Bowl there’s one player that shines brightest under the lights of the big game. For this list I have determined what I believe to be the top ten players' performances.  NICK FOLES (SB 52, 2018)   The ultimate underdog performance,...

From left: NIU then-senior guard Kaleb Thornton (3), then-senior guard Darweshi Hunter (24), and then-sophomore guard David Coit (11) get in position to play after a Huskies free throw during an NIU men's basketball home game on Feb. 7, 2023. Thornton and Hunter both transferred from NIU to the University of Akron and Miami University, respectively. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU Athletics’ transfers: Who’s hot and who’s not?

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 20, 2024

Like many schools, NIU fell victim to the transfer portal last season. Some departed Huskie athletes are doing better and some are doing worse.  Here are a few athletes who have gotten off to a hot start in their new homes and then some who have gone...

Sophomore Isabella Righi sets up her serve in an NIU women's tennis home meet. Righi won her match against Chicago State sophomore Amina Taibi 6-2, 6-4 as women's tennis defeated the Cougars 4-3 Sunday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis goes 1-1 in Chicago area road trip

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | February 20, 2024

Splitting the day on Sunday, NIU women’s tennis (6-5) pulled out a 4-3 win against Chicago State University, before losing to Northwestern University 4-0.  In contrast to the Huskies’ past success in doubles, they did not win a doubles match against...

Ethan Gonzales (from left) and Zack Rodriguez sit down with Matthew Zuber and Jacobi Jackson from NIU wrestling in the podcast room. This week’s “All-Star” episode discusses life as a NIU wrestler. (Ethan Gonzales | Northern Star)

A chat with NIU wrestling

By Ethan Gonzales, Zack Rodriguez, and Anna Scanlan | February 19, 2024

Ethan and Zack sit down with Matthew Zuber and Jacobi Jackson from NIU wrestling. They discuss the team's season thus far and the ins and outs of wrestling culture.

A graphic shows senior Julia Finegan as the Huskie of the Week. Finegan took home two top-3 finishes at the Redbird Tune Up on Saturday. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Finegan outpaces the competition to earn Huskie of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | February 19, 2024

DeKALB – Senior Julia Finegan earned NIU women's track second Huskie of the Week honor of the 2024 indoor season by winning the 800-meter run and taking third in the mile run.  Finegan championed the 800-meter run at Saturday’s Redbird Tune Up...

A graphic shows the dates for this week in Huskie sports. NIU baseball's road trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana highlights this week in Huskie sports. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Baseball faces reigning national champion this week in Huskie sports

By Northern Star Sports Staff | February 18, 2024

NIU baseball is set for a showdown with the 2023 College World Series champion and No. 2-ranked Louisiana State University this week in Huskie sports. BASEBALL Thursday, Feb. 22 at Louisiana State University, 2 p.m.  Baton Rouge, La. / Alex...

Then-sophomore infielder Christian Seegers scans the diamond during an NIU baseball home game against Central Michigan University on April 7, 2023. Seegers recorded two RBI's and a run scored in the Huskies' 14-7 win over Abilene Christian University Sunday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

10-run inning powers NIU to first win of 2024 season

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 18, 2024

NIU baseball rode an offensive surge in the fourth inning to overtake Abilene Christian University 14-7 Sunday to avoid the sweep in the opening season series.  The Huskies’ early offensive showing proved to be enough, as they did not trail for...

NIU freshman gymnast Dawsyn Sallee salutes at the end of her vault routine during the second rotation of NIU's road meet against Eastern Michigan University on Sunday inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Sallee scored a 9.850 in the fourth spot of the Huskies' vault lineup to match her personal best in the event. (Steve King | EMU Athletics)

Huskies drop EMU rematch despite strong finish

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 18, 2024

Six NIU gymnasts placed on their respective events Sunday as the Huskies took a second crack at a MAC foe in enemy territory. Despite their efforts, NIU’s gymnastics squad failed to overcome Eastern Michigan University at Sunday’s MAC meet inside...

Then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) tosses the ball to the pitcher as Central Michigan University batters switch out on April 2, 2023. Erickson had two hits in a 6-5 loss to Central Michigan Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball can’t capitalize, loses to Central Michigan

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 18, 2024

NIU softball (3-7) fell short against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-4) leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and losing 6-5 to finish 1-4 in the South Alabama Tournament. “Every loss matters,” said NIU softball head coach Christina...

Then redshirt-sophomore pitcher Matt Salomonson throws a pitch in an NIU baseball home game against Ohio University on Mar. 3, 2023. Salomonson gave up two runs on three hits in the Huskies' third game against Abilene Christian University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball falls to Abilene Christian in first 3 games of 2024

By Zachary Bertram and Joseph Segreti | February 18, 2024

DeKALB – Poor pitching proved to be NIU baseball’s (0-3) downfall in a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Abilene Christian University Wildcats (3-0) on Friday to open up the 2024 season. The Huskies dropped Game 1 16-6 by slaughter rule in seven...