KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Tonight at University Arena the Western Michigan University men’s basketball team returns to MAC play as Northern Illinois travels to Kalamazoo to take on the Broncos. Before the game starts here are a few notes about tonight’s matchup between the Broncos and Huskies.
*This will be the 78th matchup between WMU and Northern Illinois. The Broncos hold the all-time advantage 48-29, including a 30-8 record at home against the Huskies.
*WMU enters the game 6-9 overall and 0-1 in the MAC, after falling to Ball State 78-69 during Saturday’s MAC opener.
*Against Ball State, senior Flenard Whitfield returned to action after missing a month with an ankle injury. Whitfield came off the bench scoring 6 points and recording 4 rebounds in 12 minutes. Whitfield should return to the starting lineup against Northern Illinois.
* Mike Douglas returned to action as well against Ball State, after missing the Broncos previous game against Milwaukee-Wisconsin.
*Douglas is 5 assists away from moving into 3rd place All-time on the Broncos career assists leaders.
*The Broncos are an undefeated 5-0 at home in 2011-12, winning games by an average of 12.6 points
*As of January 9th, the Broncos had played the 11th-most difficult schedule in the nation, according to RealTimeRPI.com
*Demetrius Ward is averaging 14.0 points per game in his last eight outings, including 15+ points in five of those games. Ward is also 1 of 2 Broncos to start all 15 games this season. Matt Stainbrook is the other.
*The Broncos are 4-0 when holding opponents under 61 points. Northern Illinois is averaging 53.3 points per game.
*Steve Hawkins has 151 career wins, and needs just one more to tie Bob Donewald (152) for second on the all-time coaching victories list at WMU.
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