DEKALB, Ill. – Following a week off for finals, the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team returns to action on Monday, December 16, when the Huskies travel to Pittsburgh to meet the Panthers. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the contest will be available nationally on the ACC Network. 

Coming off a two-game road trip to California last week, NIU (6-4) will be right back on the road when it makes its first trip to Pittsburgh. Last time out, the Huskies suffered a 66-57 setback against UC Davis on Dec. 8. NIU trailed by just a pair with 1:44 to play before the Aggies closed the game with a 9-2 run.

Senior Eugene German (Gary, Ind./21st Century Charter) continues to lead the MAC in scoring at 20.3 points per game, which also ranks 29th nationally. The Huskie senior has scored in double figures in all 10 games this season, including seven 20-plus point performances. For his career, German has reached double figures 87 times, with 47 20-plus point games. 

Monday's matchup will feature two of the best defensive teams in the country as NIU enters the game allowing just 62.1 points per game, 45th nationally, while Pittsburgh's opponents are scoring just 59.4 points per game, 25th in the country. 

The Panthers bring a 7-3 overall record into Monday's contest, including a 1-1 mark in ACC play. Pittsburgh is returning to action for the first time since falling at top-ranked Louisville, 64-46, on Dec. 6. Three players are scoring in double figures for Pittsburgh, led by 12.0 points per game from Xavier Johnson. Ryan Murphy (11.2 ppg) and Trey McGowens (11.2 ppg) are also scoring in double figures. Justin Champagnie is just below double figures at 9.9 points per game, along with a team-best 5.8 rebounds per contest. 

Monday's contest represents a rare foray into ACC territory for the Huskies as their only previous meeting with a member of the ACC, while that school was in the conference, was a December 22, 2014 trip to Notre Dame. 

After traveling to Pittsburgh on Monday, NIU will close its four-game road trip next Thursday, December 19, when the Huskies travel to Chicago State.