DEKALB, Ill. -- Northern Illinois University men's basketball head coach Mark Montgomery announced on Wednesday the signing of Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) and Keenon Cole (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood) to National Letters of Intent to join the Huskie men's basketball program for the 2019-20 season. 

"I'm excited to add two local, Chicagoland student-athletes, in Keenon and Tyler," said Montgomery. "Recruiting in our backyard is always a focus for us and we are thrilled that Keenon and Tyler have decided to be Huskies."

Cochran was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Class 3A/4A All-State Fourth Team honoree as a junior at Bolingbrook High School, averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. The 6-foot-2 Cochran also earned Joliet Herald-News All-Area First Team recognition while helping to lead the Raiders to a 22-7 record. As a sophomore, Cochran helped lead Bolingbrook to an Illinois 4A third place state finish. 

"Tyler is a strong, combo guard with good versatility and ability to play three different positions," said Montgomery. "He is an unselfish player, a good passer, rebounder and defender, who comes from a very good high school program that has produced a number of Division I players."

Cole averaged 16.6 points and 8.3 rebounds as a junior in 2017-18 at Streamwood High School and earned All-Area recognition from the Daily Herald. A 6-foot-7 forward, Cole also recorded 53 blocks and registered 37 steals a season ago for the Sabres. As a sophomore in 2016-17, Cole averaged 15.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. 

"Keenon is a super-athletic, wing forward," said Montgomery. "He has the ability to score in a variety of ways, with a good touch inside as well as the ability to stretch the defense from three-point range. Keenon had a very productive summer with the Illinois Wolves and we are looking forward to having him join our program next season."

The 2018-19 Huskies return to action on Saturday, November 17, when they host Illinois Tech. Tipoff against the Scarlet Hawks is scheduled for 2 p.m.