This is the first year in many years that I feel NIU Men's basketball is headed in right direction. They have been competitive in most games. If not for the loss of Highsmith, they would even be better. Plus we have two transfers sitting out that will play next season and at least add more depth. I wish Therloff would be more consistent but every night there seems to be a different player who steps up.

Next year I expect this team to be at least .500 in MAC.

It remains to be seen if Montgomery can hold a team together. We seem to lose quite a few players each year as transfers. If we return a majority of the team, Highsmith recovers, plus adding in the Purdue kid, we may compete for a title next year.

(02-04-2014 10:45 AM)klake87 Wrote:  This is the first year in many years that I feel NIU Men's basketball is headed in right direction. They have been competitive in most games. If not for the loss of Highsmith, they would even be better. Plus we have two transfers sitting out that will play next season and at least add more depth. I wish Therloff would be more consistent but every night there seems to be a different player who steps up.

Next year I expect this team to be at least .500 in MAC.

I was thinking the same. They seem to have turned the corner.

Only being .500 in the MAC next year would be a disappointment.

The team seems to be getting better and I think they have a shot at being .500 in the MAC this year.

(02-04-2014 01:22 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Only being .500 in the MAC next year would be a disappointment.

The team seems to be getting better and I think they have a shot at being .500 in the MAC this year.

+1, especially with the schedule we have for the remainder of the year. I think it is possible.

Several programs have been targeting graduating senior 5th year transfers to add leadership and specific needed skills, perhaps this is an avenue that Montgomery should explore. Illinois wouldn't even be mediocre without AKey from ISU, he hit the game winner in the border battle game with Mizzou

It works best when you have patience and build from the bottom up. Monty has brought in some experienced transfers but I hope that will become less and less necessary over time.

The team looked as good as I have seen them in many years in the Miami game. NIU dominated the second half and it makes me believe that good things lie ahead.

I really like the way the armsteads have been playing the last few. Well mainly Aric

Was it Aaron Armstead that scored those 8 points in a row in this game?

One of the goals a lot of us had for this team going into this season was getting to double digit wins. They've done it.

Another was to avoid another 20-loss season. If NIU wins 1 more of their final 9 games, they'll do that as well.

I think a .500 season would exceed almost all of our expectations going into this year.

(02-04-2014 11:06 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Was it Aaron Armstead that scored those 8 points in a row in this game?

Yes it was.

yes it was Aaron--two consecutive 3's and a steal for a layup

I'm enjoying the immense improvement this year, but it's hard not to start thinking about next year already. That's when things are setup to make a move in the league. Nice to have things to look forward to with the basketball team.

(02-05-2014 11:48 AM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I'm enjoying the immense improvement this year, but it's hard not to start thinking about next year already. That's when things are setup to make a move in the league. Nice to have things to look forward to with the basketball team.

No doubt about it, there is not quite enough firepower out there this year to make a serious run, but my goodness if this thing can be held together, the thought of next year is just insanely exciting to think about.

(02-05-2014 01:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 11:48 AM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I'm enjoying the immense improvement this year, but it's hard not to start thinking about next year already. That's when things are setup to make a move in the league. Nice to have things to look forward to with the basketball team.

No doubt about it, there is not quite enough firepower out there this year to make a serious run, but my goodness if this thing can be held together, the thought of next year is just insanely exciting to think about.

It's been a long time coming, but it's great to see a competitive team and hopefully one that competes for a title in the next couple of years. I'm not able to see games in person, but just wondering if the crowds and fan interest are picking up

(02-05-2014 07:25 PM)bigdhuskie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 01:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 11:48 AM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I'm enjoying the immense improvement this year, but it's hard not to start thinking about next year already. That's when things are setup to make a move in the league. Nice to have things to look forward to with the basketball team.

No doubt about it, there is not quite enough firepower out there this year to make a serious run, but my goodness if this thing can be held together, the thought of next year is just insanely exciting to think about.

It's been a long time coming, but it's great to see a competitive team and hopefully one that competes for a title in the next couple of years. I'm not able to see games in person, but just wondering if the crowds and fan interest are picking up

I was wondering the same thing. It's going to take a while for the average fan and student to get excited. But wins help a lot. Attendance was 644. It was snowing, so not too bad. I am going to try and make Sunday's game. Hope the weather is ok.
Next year sure looks promising. If they win, they'll have to open up the upper bowl, add more concessions, open all the entrances/exits, and maybe they can have a real college bball atmosphere for the first time at the convocation center in a long time.

I just saw this on NIUHuskies site. New Nelson club is starting for this Sundays game. You have to order tickets by today. Nelson Club

Good to see they're trying something different at games.

This is the first year,ever, that I check to see the results of each game. I would so desperately love to have an NIU hoops team that's competitive for a MAC title some day.

(02-06-2014 01:35 AM)niu_1087 Wrote:  This is the first year,ever, that I check to see the results of each game. I would so desperately love to have an NIU hoops team that's competitive for a MAC title some day.

Kind of odd the way its shaping up next year, it really could be all down to NIU/Toledo for the whole ball of wax much like football. Early edge obviously has to go to Toledo with Pierson really being their only substantial loss from this year's team. So much to determine between now and then but if everything falls right for the Huskies I think they should be a legit top 4 MAC team.