The University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team travels to DeKalb, Illinois, on Saturday, January 17, for a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Northern Illinois. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live updates available on umassathletics.com and @UMassMBB on X (formerly Twitter).
A History of Success Against the Huskies
The Minutemen have historically dominated this series, winning all three previous contests against Northern Illinois. Their first meeting occurred during the 2007-08 season, resulting in a 102-87 victory for UMass. The teams then played a home-and-home series in 2012 and 2013, with UMass securing wins of 64-59 in DeKalb on December 29, 2012, and 80-54 at home on December 14, 2013.
Coming Off a Road Win
UMass enters Saturday’s game with momentum, having defeated Western Michigan 85-82 on Tuesday in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The game featured 14 lead changes in the first half, but the Minutemen controlled the second half, securing their second Mid-American Conference (MAC) victory of the season. Marcus Banks Jr. led the team with 22 points, while Leonardo Bettiol contributed 21 points and a game-high eight rebounds. K’Jei Parker added 20 points, and Danny Carbuccia dished out a game-best nine assists.
Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois comes into the contest with a 5-11 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the MAC, following a 77-59 loss at Eastern Michigan. Huskies Head Coach Rashon Burno is in his fifth season, with an overall record of 44-95. Makhai Valentine leads Northern Illinois in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Fourth Year Under Coach Martin
This season marks the fourth under Head Coach Frank Martin, who has led the Minutemen to increasing success. Last season, UMass finished with 20 wins and a top-four seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Martin boasts a career collegiate coaching record of 344-255.
Looking Ahead
Following Saturday’s game, the Minutemen will return home to face Toledo on Tuesday, January 20, at 6 p.m. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+, with updates available on umassathletics.com and @UMassMBB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the game start?
The game between UMass and Northern Illinois starts at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17.
Where is the game being played?
The game will be played at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois.
How can I follow the game?
The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Live updates will be available at umassathletics.com and on X (Twitter) at @UMassMBB.
With a strong recent performance and a history of success against Northern Illinois, what adjustments do you anticipate Coach Martin making to maintain the Minutemen’s momentum on the road?
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