This is an 8* MID-MAJOR MAULING on Northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois is 0-1, falling 83-77 at home to Illinois-Springfield.

Northwestern is 1-0, defeating Chicago State at home by a score of 85-54.

I'm not calling for an outright win, but I think that that hungry Huskies will comfortably sneak in through the back door with the large spread that they've been afforded.

David Coit was a bright spot in a losing cause for the Huskies, finishing with 31 points. The only positive on defense was that they had ten steals.

Robbie Beran had 20 points in the Wildcats' blowout win over Chicago State. Defensively they looked decent, but NIU will present a much more difficult task to slow down tonight.

The Huskies have a lot to prove after their season-opening meltdown. I expect a much improved unit here tonight.

Grab the points, the play is Northern Illinois.

Good luck, NP