DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will officially tip off the 2023-24 campaign on Monday night, Nov. 6, as the Huskies travel to Milwaukee, Wis., to face fifth-ranked Marquette. Tipoff against the Golden Eagles is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be available on Fox Sports 1 as part of its opening night whip-around coverage, with the full game available on the Fox Sports App. 

NIU topped Illinois Wesleyan, 81-64, last Wednesday (Nov. 1) in its lone exhibition contest. Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Fraschels, Switzerland/Ursping) led four Huskies in double figures with 16 points. Xavier Amos (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young) added 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds, Philmon Gebrewhit (Boston, Mass./DePaul) also scored 14 points while Zion Russell (Upper Marlboro, Md./National Christian Academy) added 11 points. 

David Coit (Columbus, N.J./Atlantic Cape CC) was named to the Preseason All-MAC Second Team while the Huskies were picked to finish fifth in the league's preseason coaches' poll. Coit averaged 15.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists a season ago, earning All-MAC Third Team and NABC All-District 14 Second Team recognition. 

The fifth-ranked Golden Eagles posted a record of 29-7 overall a season ago, including 17-3 in league play as Marquette won both the Big East regular season and tournament titles. Tyler Kolek was chosen as the Preseason Big East Player of the Year this season while Oso Ighodaro and Kam Jones were named to the Preseason All-Big East Second Team. 

Marquette is the sixth all-time AP top-five opponent in NIU history. The Huskies are 1-4 in the previous five games, having defeated Bob Knight's Indiana, 85-71, on Jan. 4, 1972, at Chick Evans Field House in the program's first game against a top-five foe. NIU's most recent contest against a top-five opponent came on Dec. 18, 2020, at Iowa. 

Following Monday's opener, the Huskies will return to the NIU Convocation Center for the home opener on Saturday, Nov. 11, against Appalachian State in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge. Tipoff against the Mountaineers is scheduled for 3 p.m. 

Huskie basketball season tickets are on sale now. Men's basketball season tickets start at just $80 for general admission season tickets in sections 115-118 (lower bowl baseline) with reserved lower bowl sideline season tickets available for just $120. NIU faculty and staff, NIU Alumni Association and Varsity Club members, and senior citizens can purchase men's basketball season tickets for $105. 

The new "Run it Back with the Pack" plan is also on sale, "Run it Back with the Pack" tickets are $20 for a men's basketball general admission ticket.

For more information on season tickets, including courtside and premium seating opportunities, call 815-753-PACK (7225).