Prediction
NIU wins 74-68.

The Huskies’ coaching continuity and imported core from a successful D2 program give them the clearer identity in the opener. Grambling’s massive turnover makes them more likely to struggle with execution early. I like NIU to cover a mid-single-digit spread in a relatively low-scoring game. Early-season chaos is real, so this is closer than the talent/continuity gap might suggest on paper.

Players and things I'm watching
Max Weisbrod: I want to see him establish himself as the offensive leader.
Cal Klesmit: His perimeter shooting could be important.
Tolu Samuels: NIU needs an inside presence and rebounding.
Turnovers: A new roster needs to show discipline early.

who is watching? NIU should win this one.

I really hope this will be a fun season!

I know there’s a line set but going to come down to which team is able to operate at 2am.

Not sure Klesmit gets a ton of minutes.

Is the YouTube thing free or a subscription. I hate to wake up at 2 and find it unavailable


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(11-01-2026 09:09 PM)houstonhuskie Wrote:  Is the YouTube thing free or a subscription. I hate to wake up at 2 and find it unavailable


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Lol maybe it's a sick prank. My brother told me when I was a kid, all my favorite cartoons were on at 3 am on the public access channel ...

... It wasn't

(11-01-2026 09:43 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-01-2026 09:09 PM)houstonhuskie Wrote:  Is the YouTube thing free or a subscription. I hate to wake up at 2 and find it unavailable


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Lol maybe it's a sick prank. My brother told me when I was a kid, all my favorite cartoons were on at 3 am on the public access channel ...

... It wasn't

Gumby is handling the YouTube play by play for this one

(11-01-2026 10:02 PM)Huskies_1030 Wrote:  

(11-01-2026 09:43 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-01-2026 09:09 PM)houstonhuskie Wrote:  Is the YouTube thing free or a subscription. I hate to wake up at 2 and find it unavailable


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol maybe it's a sick prank. My brother told me when I was a kid, all my favorite cartoons were on at 3 am on the public access channel ...

... It wasn't

Gumby is handling the YouTube play by play for this one

Aight, setting the alarm now

Also, send location

It’s free on regular YouTube.

I’m in rock hill drinking currently

Unlike that sorry excuse for a football "team", I'm actually pretty optimistic about the basketball team. And the Horizon League isn't all that different from the MAC, geographically speaking. We don't have to travel halfway across the country every other week!

Took me a while but I found it


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Unreal. Watching NIU MBB at 2 a.m.

14 is killing us. Dudes good


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Miranda (7’2”) is absolutely killing us. He has 20 points and 6 rebounds at the half.

If NIU doesn't meet too many bigs like Miranda -- with his talent -- the Huskies won't come up too short with their style of play. No selfishness, scripted plays that work, solid coaching. On defense Huskies always after the ball no matter who has it.

Also, NIU has one guy who's 6-9 and three others who a 6-8. Three seniors and a junior. Don't know their #s so don't know how much/if they're playing.

Grambling wins 89-87. NIU outscored them 51-46 in the second half. Great game by NIU.

Great effort by Huskies. Congrats Coach on getting your first game under your belt. Huskies do need some size and more athleticism it showed up mainly on defense. Scoring 87 pts is pretty darn good in your opening game. Giving up 89 is troubling but basically 2 guys scored Grambling’s points and their big guy probably won’t shoot that well again this season. If NIU can make double digits in 3’s they should be competitive in the Horizon games.

NIU was favored by 8 pts and lost so I wouldn’t call it a great game but it was a encouraging performance!

Next up is @ Tulsa 7 p.m. Thursday. On ESPN+ and WDKB 94.9 FM. Fun team to watch.

I don't think anyone expected Miranda to play that well. Everyone knew we are missing size. it showed. Grambling might be better then people expected. Same with NIU.