MBB: Huskie Preview

Next up are the NIU Huskies.

They were picked 5th in both Blue Ribbon and in the official poll.  They were 9-9 last season in Rashon Bruno's 2nd year.  Based on the return of David Coit, Keshawn Williams and Zarique Nutter, who scored 45 PPG collectively.

Unfortunately, Williams has only played one game and Nutter has missed the last 2, along with Yanic Konan Neiderhaus.  No idea what to expect with them returning tomorrow, but it has impacted the Huskies, who are 0-3 in MAC play and have lost their last 8 D1 games. Some of those games include Iowa, Northwestern and Indiana State, and in the MAC they lost at home to Akron and @OU and @WMU in OT.

These stats are for all games.  Suffice it to say they their stats for their 3 MAC games, 2 played without Nutter and Neiderhaus (which also sounds like DeKalb's 3rd most successful law firm), are really bad.

The Huskies play at 71 possessions, which is faster than BG has played. The key has been defensive struggles.  What will make it interesting is that BG has been inconsistent on offense.  The Huskie offense, which is about national average, will face a Falcon defense which is slightly below national average.

NIU is a decent shooting team.  They shoot a lot of 3FGs and make 36%, which is pretty good.  They are a touch below average but decent 2 FGs.  Their turnovers are about at the D1 average, and they are terrible on the offensive boards.  They get to the line a lot, but only make 68%.  That's where the biggest contrast is with BG's defense--the Falcons have done well keeping opponents off the line.

The Huskies do not defend the shot well. The allow 53% on 2FG and 36% on 3FG, which is not good on either front.  They are one of the 5 worst in the country in forcing turnovers, are below average on the offensive boards...and don't give up a lot of FTs.  BG put a decent offensive game together last time out and will try to do it on the road this week, which is tougher.  (This is only BG's 4th true road game).

NIU is led by David Coit, an undersized JUCO G who was third-team All-MAC last year. He averages 19 a game on 53% and 38% shooting and 88% at the line--efficient.  He also has about 4 assists per game.  He's the #4 scorer in the MAC.

Their second leading scorer is Zarique Nutter, who has missed the last 2 games. He's 6'7" and scores 15 PPG on 50% and 35% shooting, both very efficient.  Also 5.2 RPG.

Xavier Amos is scoring 11 PPG on 52% and 44% shooting.  He's also 6'8" and leads them with 5.3 RPG.

One matchup issue.  NIU has a lot of length and BG is light on the front line, assuming Towns isn't back for this one.