Under the Radar Game of the Day: Kent State at Northern Illinois

Kent State at Northern Illinois, 8:00 PM Eastern, espn3

For our most recent HoopsHD Report video podcast, CLICK HERE.

The Under the Radar Game of the Day is off to DeKalb, Illinois tonight as the co-leaders in the MAC West, Northern Illinois (4-2 in conference, 12-7 overall) play host to the Kent State Golden Flashes (2-4, 10-9).  The NIU Huskies have turned from league doormat into a legitimate contender during the past six seasons under head coach Mark Montgomery.  They only won a total of 10 games during his first two years, but have seen their win total increase all the way to 21 last season, with a shot to equal or surpass that number this year.  To put things in perspective, during the 10 seasons prior to Montgomery taking over, the Huskies only have tw0 winning seasons, and never reached 18 victories.  NIU has been led this season by junior Marin Maric.  Maric grabbed his third double-double in the last four games during the Huskies’ 78-69 loss to Ohio University over the weekend.  He also had a double-double back on January 10 in Kent, Ohio, during his team’s 74-70 overtime road win over the Golden Flashes.

Kent State will be looking to avenge their earlier loss to Northern Illinois tonight.  Deon Edwin (18 points) and Jaylin Walker (22 points) were the team leaders in that earlier loss.  The Golden Flashes did snap a four game losing streak over the weekend with  home win over Toledo.  Edwin had 23 points in that game and was joined in double figures by Jimmy Hall (27 points).  Northern Illinois has won 9 times at home already this season and will be looking to increase that number by one.  If they do, they will keep pace, if not move ahead, of Eastern Michigan in the battle for the MAC West title.  But in order to get there, they must first get by Kent State.