Who’s PlayingNorthern Illinois @ Indiana StateCurrent Records: Northern Illinois 3-9; Indiana State 9-3What to KnowAfter four games on the road, the Indiana State Sycamores are heading back home. They and the Northern Illinois Huskies will compete for holiday cheer at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday at Hulman Center. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they’ll have plenty of motivation to get the ‘W.’ The Sycamores were within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap this past Saturday as they fell 92-86 to the Duquesne Dukes. A silver lining for Indiana State was the play of guard Cooper Neese, who had 19 points in addition to five boards. Meanwhile, it looks like the Huskies must have gotten on Santa’s naughty list since the squad didn’t end up with the win they were expected to receive on Tuesday. They were within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap as they fell 83-78 to the Albany Great Danes. The losses put Indiana State at 9-3 and NIU at a reciprocal 3-9. A pair of numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Indiana State ranks 22nd in college basketball when it comes to points per game, with 83.5 on average. Less enviably, NIU is third worst in college basketball in points allowed per game, with 77.8 on average. How To WatchWhen: Thursday at 7 p.m. ETWhere: Hulman Center — Terre Haute, IndianaFollow: CBS Sports App
Series HistoryIndiana State and Northern Illinois both have one win in their last two games.Nov 30, 2016 – Indiana State 63 vs. Northern Illinois 52Nov 11, 2016 – Northern Illinois 80 vs. Indiana State 78