DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 8, as the Huskies travel to Toledo. Game time against the Rockets is slated for 1 p.m. CT and will be available on ESPN3. 

Saturday's contest will be the Mid-American Conference opener for the Huskies, who will be playing for the first time since Dec. 19. NIU (3-7) fell to UIC in that final non-conference contest, 61-60, despite a career-high 25 points from Keshawn Williams (Chicago Heights, Ill./Tulsa) and a career-best 16 points from Anthony Crump (Inkster, Mich./Middle Tennessee). 

Williams is averaging 18.4 points per game over the last five games, shooting 47.5 percent (38-of-80) from the field during that stretch. Crump meanwhile is averaging 11.7 points per game over the last three contests, shooting 50 percent (14-of-28) from the field.

Six of the last seven meetings between the Huskies and Rockets in Toledo have been decided by five points or less, with NIU going 4-2 in those six contests. Toledo won the only meeting between the two schools last season. 

The Rockets bring a 10-4 overall record into Saturday's matchup, including a 2-1 mark in league play. Toledo is coming off an 82-54 victory at Central Michigan last time out (Jan. 4). Four players are scoring in double figures for Toledo, led by 19.4 points per game from Ryan Rollins. J.Y. Shumate adds 14.6 points per contest, Setric Millner Jr. chips in 13.2 points per contest and RayJ Dennis is scoring 11.4 points per game.

Following Saturday's game, NIU will remain on the road as it visits Kent State on Tuesday night, Jan. 11. Tip time against the Golden Flashes is slated for 6 p.m. 

The Huskies will return home as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 15 when they face Eastern Michigan. Huskie Flex Plans are now available for the 2021-22 basketball season. Purchase vouchers for $6 each and use them throughout the season to attend Huskie men's and women's basketball home games. Simply redeem vouchers for tickets at the box office prior to the game. Tickets can be purchased online at NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).