Scouting: Northern Illinois @ Western Michigan

Northern Illinois (6-10, 2-2) at Western Michigan (9-8, 2-2)

When: 1 p.m. at University Arena

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: This MAC West clash starts a stretch of eight straight games in which NIU faces foes with superior Pomeroy rankings. Western Michigan isn't too far ahead of the Huskies (204th nationally compared to 241st for NIU), so this is one of their best opportunities for a win. The Broncos, who get 12.4 ppg from Demetrius Ward, should be reeling after losing by 13 at Toledo. NIU senior Xavier Silas has scored at least 15 points in his last 11 MAC games ... and he averaged 19.0 points in the Huskies' split with WMU last year.