Jan. 27, 2012 
Live Stats l Game Notes in PDF 
Northern Illinois Huskies (2-16, 1-5 MAC) vs. Buffalo Bulls (11-6, 4-2 MAC)
Date: Saturday January 28, 2012
Tipoff: 12 p.m.
Location: NIU Convocation Center • DeKalb, Ill.
Radio: WLBK 1360-AM in DeKalb and WSCR 670-AM in Chicago
Live Stats: NIUHuskies.com
The Match-Up
Northern Illinois welcomes Buffalo to DeKalb for its first home game against a MAC East foe this season. The contest between the Huskies and Bulls features two of the best rebounding teams in the MAC. Buffalo leads the league in rebounding margin at +7.9, while NIU is third at +3.9. In conference play the schools are even closer with Buffalo second at +5.2 and NIU third at +4.5.
About Buffalo
The Bulls bring an 11-6 overall record, 4-2 in MAC play, to DeKalb having beaten Eastern Michigan, 65-47, at home last time out. Buffalo is led by the frontline duo of Javon McCrea and Mitchell Watt, McCrea is averaging 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while Watt averages 15.2 points and 7.7 boards per contest for head coach Reggie Witherspoon who is in his 13th year as the head coach of the Bulls. Buffalo is the highest-scoring team in the MAC averaging 73.6 points per game.
Against the Bulls
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series against Buffalo, 13-12, but the Bulls have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams. The lone NIU victory in the last 10 was an 84-82 overtime triumph on Jan. 7, 2006 in DeKalb. The Huskies lead in the series 7-3 in home contests, of late the games in DeKalb have been high-scoring affairs with each team reaching at least 80 points in the last three DeKalb contests.
Suits and Sneakers
This weekend is designated as the ninth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend as nearly 4,000 head and assistant coaches around the country are expected to wear sneakers on the sidelines to bring awareness to fighting cancer. Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, empowering coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Game Day Promotions
In conjuction with Saturday’s Huskie basketball doubleheader, NIU Athletics will also be hosting its annual Faculty/Staff Day for all members of the University. Saturday is also Mascot Day at the NIU Convocation Center as nine area mascots will join Victor E. Huskie as part of the game day festivities.
Gray Finding His Way
Keith Gray set a career-high with 15 points and tied a career-high with seven rebounds against Kent State (Jan. 25). Gray is averaging 5.4 points per game, sixth-best among freshmen in the MAC, and 3.5 rebounds per contest, second-best among MAC freshmen. Gray is shooting 55.9 percent (19-of-34) over the last nine games, averaging 6.7 points per game during that stretch.
Going to the Glass
Northern Illinois ranks fourth in the MAC in rebounding offense (36.1) and second in rebounding defense (32.1). The Huskies are third in rebounding margin at +3.9. In conference play, NIU leads the league in rebounding defense (28.5) and ranks third in rebounding margin (+4.5). NIU has the best defensive rebounding percentage in the league, both overall (71.8) and in conference play (76.0).
Looking Ahead
The Huskies will remain at home as their brief two-game home stand concludes when they host Ohio University on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Game time against the Bobcats is scheduled for 7 p.m., at the NIU Convocation Center.
