Scouting NIU basketball

Posted December 14, 2009 10:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Northern Illinois (1-5) at Minnesota (7-3)

When: 7 p.m. at Williams Arena

TV: BTN; Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Skinny: The Huskies haven't played since Dec. 2 due to final exams, but they also used the time to integrate junior forward Xavier Silas. He broke his shooting hand on Nov. 13 at Northwestern and was cleared last week to resume full contact. Nonetheless, he's listed as questionable for today's game. NIU needs all the offensive firepower it can get against the Gophers, who rank fourth nationally according to kenpom.com in points allowed per possession (.805). As has been his style since arriving at Minny, Tubby Smith has nine guys averaging between 15 and 26 minutes per game. Do-everything senior forward Damian Johnson averages 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.0 blocks in just 25.4 minutes per game.

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