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N. Illinois Huskies @ Japanese Illinois Panthers
Present information: N. Illinois 2-5, Japanese Illinois 1-5
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What to know
Japanese Illinois has been on the highway for 4 straight, however they are going to lastly head house on Friday. They’ll welcome the N. Illinois Huskies at three:00 pm ET at Groniger Area. With the 2 groups coming off a loss of their final sport, each have a bit further motivation heading into this contest.
It would take a while for Japanese Illinois to get well from the 81-53 bruising Valparaiso inflicted on Sunday. The sport marked the Panthers' lowest scoring sport thus far this season.
Japanese Illinois' loss shouldn't overshadow the performances of Kooper Jacobi, who practically dropped a double-double at 13 factors and 9 rebounds, and Nakyel Shelton, who had 20 factors. Furthermore, Jacobi additionally posted 50% three-point accuracy, which is the best he has posted since November 2023.
Maybe unsurprisingly given the rating, Japanese Illinois struggled to get its act collectively and completed the sport with simply seven assists. They have been demolished by their opponents in that division as Valparaiso posted 17.
In the meantime, N. Illinois' current offense acquired a bit tougher Wednesday after its fourth straight loss. They took an 87-82 blow to the loss column by the hands of Valparaiso. After working up the rating a lot, each groups in all probability have some further defensive drills.
Regardless of their loss, N. Illinois noticed a number of gamers rise to the problem and make noteworthy performs. Nasir Muhammad, who scored 21 factors, was maybe the most effective of all of them. Muhammad had hassle discovering his toes in opposition to DePaul on Saturday, so this was a step in the fitting path. One other difference-maker was James Dent Jr., who went 5-for-9 on his strategy to 15 factors plus six rebounds.
Japanese Illinois' loss was their ninth straight on the highway courting again to final season, which dropped their report to 1-5. As for N. Illinois, their loss dropped their report to 2-5.
Japanese Illinois should be hurting from a devastating 90-70 loss at N. Illinois of their earlier assembly in November 2022. Can Japanese Illinois avenge its loss or is historical past destined to repeat itself? We'll discover out quickly sufficient.
Historical past of the sequence
N. Illinois has received each video games it has performed in opposition to Japanese Illinois within the final three years.
- November 30, 2022 – N. Illinois 90 vs. Japanese Illinois 70
- December 01, 2021 – N. Illinois 55 vs. Japanese Illinois 45