DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team begins a stretch of three-straight games against conference foes from the State of Michigan on Saturday, February 27, when the Huskies travel to Eastern Michigan. Game time against the Eagles is slated for 12 p.m. CT and will be available on ESPN3. 

NIU is coming off a 102-74 setback against Buffalo on Tuesday (Feb. 23), sophomore Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) scored a career-high 26 points against the Bulls. In four games since returning from a pause, Cochran is averaging a team-high 17.5 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game. 

Sophomore Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook, Ill./Iowa Western CC) had a career-high 10 points, along with a career-best seven rebounds, against Buffalo. Thornton had led the Huskies in assists eight times this season. 

Junior Zool Kueth (Gallatin, Tenn./Pratt CC) ranks fifth in the Mid-American Conference in three-point percentage during league play, shooting 46.2 percent (18-of-39). Kueth is shooting 51.4 percent from three over the past eight games, junior Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich./Novi) is shooting 41.5 percent from three over that same eight game stretch. 

The Eagles bring a 4-11 record into Saturday's contest, including a 1-10 mark in MAC play. Eastern Michigan dropped an 86-67 decision at Ohio on Thursday (Feb. 25). Three players are scoring in double figures for the Eagles, led by 14.9 points per game from Ty Groce, who also grabs a team-best 6.4 rebounds per contest. Bryce McBride adds 13.7 points per game and Yeikson Montero chips in 12.4 points per contest.

NIU swept the season series from Eastern Michigan last year, winning the two games by a combined five points. NIU's victory in Ypsilanti last season was its first on the road against the Eagles since 2012.

Following Saturday's trip to Eastern Michigan, the Huskies will return to DeKalb for the home finale against Western Michigan on Tuesday, March 2. Tipoff against the Broncos is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.