DEKALB, Ill. – The final week of events before the Holiday break sees the NIU men's basketball and wrestling teams in action at home, along with the Huskie gymnastics team which will hold its annual Red-Black exhibition. NIU women's basketball will also be on the road this Saturday

Men's Basketball
Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. East-West, 7 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Audio | Live Stats | Buy Tickets
Saturday, Dec. 20: vs. Central Michigan, 2 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Audio | Live Stats | Buy Tickets

A pair of home games await the NIU men's basketball team this week as it hosts East-West University on Tuesday (Dec. 16) before welcoming Central Michigan to DeKalb for the conference opener on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 20). A full preview of Tuesday's contest is available now on NIUHuskies.com. Makhai Valentine recorded his first career double-double last time out for the Huskies at Elon and has scored in double figures in five consecutive games. 

Central Michigan hosts Olivet College on Wednesday before coming to NIU under the direction of first-year head coach Andy Bronkema.

Women's Basketball
Saturday, Dec. 20: at Central Michigan, 12 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Audio | Live Stats

NIU opens its final Mid-American Conference women's basketball season at Central Michigan. Freshman guard Emilie Sorensen tied her season-high in scoring last time out with a game-high 17 points at Purdue Fort Wayne. She made five threes in the game, the most by a Huskie this season. NIU has won each of the last three meetings against the Chippewas including last season's 80-75 win at the Convocation Center. Central Michigan was picked fifth in the MAC preseason poll and is 5-4 to start the season. A full preview will be available on NIUHuskies.com later this week.

Wrestling
Friday, Dec. 19: vs. Oregon State, 7 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Scoring

The NIU Wrestling program (1-2) will open their home portion of their season on Friday, December 19 as they host the Oregon State Beavers in a 7 p.m. dual. Action will take place in the main arena of the NIU Convocation Center in the Huskies #WearBlack dual.
 
The Huskies were last in action at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, where three Huskies landed on the podium. Brett Smith took eighth place at 165 pounds. Spencer Mooberry earned an eighth-place finish at 197 pounds while Devon Dawson took eighth at 285 pounds.

Gymnastics
Friday, Dec. 19: Red-Black Exhibition, 6 p.m. 

The annual Red-Black Exhibition takes place this Friday, giving fans the first look at the 2026 NIU Gymnastics squad at Victor E. Court. The Huskies have 12 returnees from last season, including Kiera O'Shea, a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier and earned First Team All-MAC on vault in 2025. NIU welcomes seven incoming freshman and one transfer in Ashlie Leage, the 2025 NCGA uneven bar champion at Greenville University. The 2026 regular season begins on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Kent State and the Huskies first home meet is on Saturday, Jan. 24 vs. Ball State.