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Posted at 1:30 PM EST.

8:00 PM EST. Toledo has a firm grip on the top spot of the MAC's West Division and is one game behind 13-3 Buffalo for the number one seed in the conference tournament but the Rockets lost to the Bulls earlier this season therefore giving them little shot to catch the front-runners. Even though two games remain, Buffalo plays Akron and Bowling Green and will be heavily favored in both contests. So, with the Rockets stuck in limbo until the MAC tourney, motivation becomes an issue. It's senior day in Toledo on Friday night, and that will be a big game for the Rockets, but tonight in DeKalb that's not going to be the case.

The Huskies are tied for last in the MAC with Ohio at 5-11 and are just 12-17 on the season. The only way NIU are going dancing is if they go on a miracle run through the conference tournament. NIU has no market presence and a 2-7 run over its last nine games isn't likely to inspire much confidence. The fact the Huskies got blasted by almost 30-points in an 82-53 loss to Eastern Michigan last time out further deflates their stock. Despite their poor record on paper, NIU has been a tough out at home this season by going 10-3. The real case here for the Huskies is that they’re playing a team that couldn’t give a rat’s ass about this game. The Rockets have unfinished business to take care of after this one and this is just one of those horrible spots for a road favorite that must be faded.

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