DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will tipoff the 2022-23 regular season on Monday night, Nov. 7, when the Huskies host Illinois Springfield. Game time against the Prairie Stars is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be available on ESPN3 as well as the new flagship home for Huskie Athletics, 94-9 WDKB in DeKalb along with The Varsity Network app.

Tickets for Monday's opener are available now by visiting NIUHuskies.com/tickets.

NIU has won six of its last eight season openers, including last season when the Huskies claimed a 71-64 victory over Washington in Seattle in head coach Rashon Burno's debut (Nov. 9, 2021). Anthony Crump (Inkster, Mich./Middle Tennessee) registered his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with six assists, in last season's victory at Washington. Burno became the first Huskie head coach to win his debut since Tom Jorgensen in 1966 as NIU recorded its first-ever win over a Pac-12 school. 

The Huskies unofficially opened the season a week ago with a 79-76 exhibition victory over McKendree. Keshawn Williams (Chicago Heights, Ill./Tulsa), an All-MAC selection a season ago, led the way with 23 points while Zarique Nutter (Newark, N.J./Clarendon College) added 13 points and David Coit (Columbus, N.J./Atlantic Cape CC) chipped in 13 points. 

Illinois Springfield had a 12-17 overall record a season ago, including a 7-13 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Jack Weber is the leading returning scorer for the Prairie Stars, he averaged 10.3 points, along with a team-high 5.1 rebounds, per game a season ago.

NIU and Illinois Springfield have met once previously, a 77-62 Huskie victory on Dec. 31, 2016. Marin Maric led the way for NIU with 14 points and seven rebounds in the contest. 

Following Monday's opener, NIU will make the short trip to Evanston on Friday, Nov. 11, to face Northwestern. 

Season tickets for Huskie Basketball are on sale now and can be purchased at NIUHuskies.com. Men's basketball season tickets start at $80 for a "Huskie Land" general admission season ticket in sections 115-118 (lower bowl baseline). A reserved, lower bowl sideline seat is $120. NIU faculty and staff, NIU Alumni Association and Varsity Club members, senior citizens and 2022 NIU Football season ticket members can purchase men's basketball season tickets for $105. 

Premium courtside seats are also available, for more information on courtside seats call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).