Men's basketball preview: Northern Illinois at Bowling Green

1/9/2005

When: 2 p.m.

Radio: 1230

Records: NIU is 5-6, 1-2 MAC; BG is 8-2, 2-0.

Last game: NIU lost at Miami 64-59; BG d. Marshall 69-64.

Series: Tied 22-22.

Outlook: While the series has been close overall, the Falcons have won eight of the last nine meetings. To extend that streak, BG will need to defend the 3-point shot against the Huskies, who have made an average of 9.6 treys in five victory and just 5.3 in six losses. Four of NIU's losses have been by a combined total of 12 points, and the Huskies claimed a win over the DePaul squad that beat the Falcons to start the season. To earn its third straight MAC victory, Bowling Green needs to continue the sound play it has displayed in the late going against both Buffalo and Marshall. It also wouldn't hurt if the Falcons continue to shoot at a blistering 55.8 percent clip from the field, BG's team mark after its first two league games.