NIU basketball at a glance

Posted November 09, 2011 11:00 pm

Last year: 9-21 (5-11 MAC)

Coach: Mark Montgomery (first season)

Key players lost: Xavier Silas (22.3 ppg), Jeremy Landers (7.1 ppg), Nate Rucker (7.1 ppg).

Key players returning: 6-7 senior Tim Toler (9.9 ppg), 6-2 sophomore Antone Christian (6.2 ppg), 6-4 junior Tony Nixon.

Newcomers of note: 6-6 freshman Abdel Nader (Niles North), 5-8 freshman Zach Miller (Glenbard East), 6-5 freshman Jeremiah Jackson (Warren), 6-6 freshman Kevin Gray, 6-6 freshman Keith Gray, 6-1 freshman Marquavese Ford.

It will be good news if: Nader develops quickly into a go-to scorer.

Watch out if: the Huskies, with no one taller than 6-foot-7, struggle on the boards.

Outlook: Toler should provide some leadership and experience, but Montgomery is planning to throw the freshmen into the mix right away.

— Mike McGraw

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