Yes, Washington spells if different (and some would say righter).

This one is in the bag, as UW is 0-3 all-time against Huskies (all losses to UConn). No need for a preview...but hell, I've got time to kill. I don't care that NIU is a +17 on the point spread.

Washington juuuust got healthy and is on a 3 game win streak, and all their losses are to respectable teams. Gulp.

However, Washington allows a lot of offensive rebounds per game (UW ranks last in the Pac-12, allowing 13.2 offensive rpg) so maybe we can win the rebounding war, at least.

C.J. Wilcox is the man to watch for Washington; he has scored 20+ in six of the last 7 games and has 10 or more points in all their games. Scott Suggs is averaging 18 ppg over the last 4. Aziz N’Diaye has double digits in the last 6 games as well. Washington is currently shooting 47.5 percent from the field as a team with six players shooting over 45 percent. The lesson is, UW can score. NIU will have to find a way to limit them to have a prayer of keeping the doors on.

Something to watch for: UW is 6-0 when they shoot 50% from the field, 1-4 when under 50%. So far this season, none of their opponents have shot over 50%. Hopefully we can limit their access to the basket and free throws and make them shoot low percentage shots. Seems....unlikely. NIU will have to shoot lights out to have a chance in this one, and shooting lights out hasn't happened for NIU in a long time.

Nader needs to find a way to not foul, we need his offense so desperately; Nader is averaging 27.1 points per 40 minutes played.

Akeem Springs has really come on lately in the bench role, hopefully that continues.

Mader has been quieter the last two games, NIU will need him to score some points to keep it close too.

NIU got destroyed by a crappy foe last time out...I don't expect them to win this one, but they should at least rebound (got out-rebounded by 14 last game!) in this one.

The game is available to watch on First Row Sports (First Row Sports link) and can be listened to on a variety of stations (WLBK 1360-AM, 98.9-FM in DeKalb, WJOL 1340-AM in Joliet).

You can yell "GO HUSKIES" and no matter what, you're a winner today.