DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team heads back on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 24, as the Huskies travel to Toledo to face the Rockets. Tipoff at Savage Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be available on ESPN+ as well as WDKB 94-9 FM.

NIU returns to the road for the fifth time in the last seven games following a home setback against Ohio on Saturday (Feb. 21). Five Huskies scored in double figures against the Bobcats, led by Makhai Valentine (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) with 15 points. Valentine is averaging 15.4 points per game over the last five games, shooting 52.3 percent (23-of-44) from the field and 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from three.   

Gustav Winther (Roskilde, Denmark) was 5-of-6 from the field against Ohio and is 10-of-11 (90.9 percent) from the field over the last two games. Winther leads the Mid-American Conference in field goal percentage, shooting 64.8 percent. 

Gianni Cobb (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) had five assists on Saturday against Ohio, he now has 103 for the season which ranks fourth for a Huskie sophomore in program history. Cobb is just 10 assists away from Anthony Maestranzi's school record for assists by a sophomore of 113 set in 2003-04. 

The Rockets bring a 14-13 overall record into Tuesday's matchup, including an 8-6 mark in league play. Toledo is coming off a 94-75 home win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday (Feb. 21). Four players score in double figures for Toledo, led by 17.2 points per game from Sonny Wilson.

Toledo leads the MAC, and ranks 25th nationally, committing just 15.0 fouls per game. The Rockets also lead the league in turnovers, committing just 10.6 per contest, which ranks 79th in the country.

This is the 88th all-time meeting between NIU and Toledo. NIU's last win at Toledo came two seasons ago (Feb. 27, 2024) when the Huskies topped the Rockets, 75-72.

Following Tuesday's contest, NIU will return home to host Ball State on Saturday, Feb. 28, for the annual Cram the Convo Doubleheader. Tipoff against the Cardinals is scheduled for 3 p.m., following the NIU women's basketball game against Eastern Michigan. Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets.