The Northern Illinois men’s basketball team played Bowling Green even in the second half, but were unable to overcome a slow first half start, falling 65-40 on Saturday evening at the Stroh Center.

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois men’s basketball team had virtually no chance to win down the stretch in its 67-58 loss to Ohio on Wednesday night.

The Northern Illinois men’s basketball team has been paired with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in its BracketBusters contest to be played on Feb. 18 at SIUE. The Huskies and Cougars have met once previously, a 90-69 NIU victory on Dec. 9, 1985 in DeKalb.

DeKALB – Its lead had almost evaporated, its shots weren't falling and, for one of the only times Saturday afternoon, Northern Illinois was in trouble.

DeKALB – When Mark Montgomery was hired as the Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach last spring, the first player many fans thought of was Tim Toler.

KENT, Ohio – Kris Brewer had 15 points to pace five in double figures for the Golden Flashes in a 90-56 rout of Northern Illinois Wednesday night.

Relevant observations, pertinent notes, questions, minutiae and Huskie Trivial Pursuit from your local, retired sports information director:

DeKALB – Before the comeback attempt, freshman outburst and energy from an abnormally loud, excited and present Convocation Center crowd, there was the fatal run.

DeKALB – Mark Montgomery saw DeMarcus Grady’s eyes brighten as soon as he announced the drill. All Montgomery had to say was “rebounding.” Grady knew an opportunity was coming.

Looking at the rebuilding process at NIU

TOLEDO, Ohio – With a 19-3 run to close the first half, Toledo bettered Northern Illinois, 71-41, on Wednesday night at Savage Arena. Freshman guard Stian Berg and freshman forward Keith Gray each led the Huskies with eight points.

With a 19-3 run to close the first half, Toledo beat Northern Illinois, 71-41, on Wednesday night at Savage Arena. Freshman guard Stian Berg and freshman forward Keith Gray each led the Huskies with eight points.

NIU win comes with much relief

For the second straight season, Northern Illinois senior DeMarcus Grady will jump from football to basketball. Grady, a five-year member of the NIU football program, has rejoined the Huskies men’s basketball team.

DeKALB – Close is good. Close means improvement, the ability to be competitive. It signifies a potentially better future.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Northern Illinois men’s basketball team lost to Western Michigan, 77-68, on Wednesday night at University Arena. Senior forward Tim Toler led the way for the Huskies with 15 points on five three-pointers.

DeKALB – Mark Montgomery didn't need to take a look at the stat sheet to confirm what he saw.

DeKALB – Two days later, there were no tangible signs of change.

Men's basketball team gets first win under Montgomery

Redemption, champions and inspiration across DeKalb County

Huskies lose their 11th straight, but show progress

DeKALB – There were lean smiles and half-hearted attempts at jokes. There was talk of optimism and focus on the future.

DeKALB – Even with a firm grasp of the big picture, Northern Illinois coach Mark Montgomery has had his moments of frustration.

DeKALB – The message is stressed so much, Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach Mark Montgomery physically demonstrates it during games.

DeKALB – Kathi Bennett had every reason for confidence.

Northern Illinois trailed by just one with two minutes to play but was unable to get over the hump, falling 62-55 at UIC on Saturday afternoon. Redshirt sophomore guard Antone Christian and freshman forward Keith Gray each scored a season-high 11 points to lead the Huskies.

For the third year in a row, HuskieWire.com/Daily-Chronicle.com was honored as one of the top 10 sports websites in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors.

Senior forward Tim Toler scored a career-best 25 points and freshman guard Marquavese Ford also recorded a career-high with 16 points, but the Northern Illinois men’s basketball team dropped a 77-72 decision at home to Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday afternoon.

OREM, Utah – Isiah Williams scored 15 points and Geddes Robinson posted his fourth double-double of the season to lead Utah Valley to a 58-47 victory over Northern Illinois on Monday night.

Freshman wing Abdel Nader scored 16 points and junior guard Tony Nixon added 11, but the Northern Illinois men’s basketball team fell, 71-57, at Boise State on Saturday night.

DeKALB – Both of the Northern Illinois basketball teams came into Sunday searching for improvement.

DeKALB – The look was astonishment mixed with a bit of curiosity. NIU’s best, pure post player, freshman Keith Gray, had just picked up his fifth foul on a regrettable decision – a charge near the basket with 4:15 left.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa coach Fran McCaffery kept telling Josh Oglesby to shoot. The freshman listened.

DeKALB – For a moment, Antone Christian thought a higher power might pull his desperation, half-court heave into the hoop.

Montgomery, Huskies fall in regular-season opener

Step inside our 2011-12 basketball preview

Northern Illinois’ men’s and women’s basketball seasons are upon us, with the men starting their regular season tonight and the women’s season getting under way Sunday. Here are a few things to watch for the upcoming seasons:

Daily Chronicle sports editor John Sahly and sports reporter Ryan Wood spend their days covering the area’s sports scene. Occasionally, they give their viewpoints on those local sports. In this installment of their 2011 Take 2 column, they discuss Northern Illinois upcoming men’s and women’s basketball seasons.

Montgomery challenged to mesh upperclassmen and deep freshmen class

Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach Mark Montgomery got to work on his second recruiting class in DeKalb and announced Thursday the signing of Daveon Balls, Mike Davis and Sam Mader to the Huskies class of 2012.

Huskies drop exhibition contest to D-III Carthage

The Mid-American Conference released the preseason men's basketball poll and preseason all-MAC team on Wednesday. Northern Illinois was picked fifth in the MAC West. The poll is below.

DeKALB – Antone Christian already was leading.

MAC to discuss NCAA board's approvals

Relevant observations, pertinent notes, questions, minutiae, and Huskie Trivial Pursuit from your local, retired sports information director:

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA is giving college sports a whole new look.

Northern Illinois athletics ranks among the top universities in the Mid-American Conference, and has once again topped the national average in the Graduation Success Rate of its student-athletes, according to data released Wednesday by the NCAA.

DeKALB – He bought the tie seven months ago. Red and black, diagonal stripes, it sharply contrasted in a closet full of Michigan State green and white. Mark Montgomery thought it was perfect.

Mark Montgomery and Kathi Bennett – along with some of their players – gave their season outlook during Tuesday afternoon's media day at the Convocation Center. Here are some notes on both programs.

WASHINGTON – NCAA President Mark Emmert backed a proposal to allow conferences to increase grants to student athletes by $2,000, "to more closely approach" the full cost of attending college, beyond the athletic scholarships athletes receive for tuition, fees, room, board and books.