KALAMAZOO, Mich.  – In the final game of a season-long three-game homestand the Western Michigan men's basketball team hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 27 inside University Arena.  

Saturday, Jan. 27 •  2:00 p.m. • Kalamazoo, Mich. • University Arena  
Northern Illinois (10-10, 3-4 MAC) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (11-9, 3-4 MAC)

Series Record: WMU leads 58-32
University Arena: WMU leads 36-8
Last Meeting: Feb. 28, 2017 (NIU 70-56)

BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Radio • Bronco Radio Network – Aaron Coyle (PBP)
Stations • WZOX – 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX – 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids, WDFN 1130 AM: Detroit
Watch Live: ESPN3 (John Noland – PBP, Austin Richie – Color)

Get Your Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Bronco Ticket Office, online at wmubroncos.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-4-WMU-Tix.

Honoring Manny Newsome
At halftime, Western Michigan men's basketball will honor Bronco legend Manny Newsome and formally retire his No.5 jersey. Newsome ranks third all-time in career points with 1,787 and ranks first in career scoring average, field goals made and field goals attempted.

Scouting the Broncos
WMU has an overall record of 11-9 and 3-4 in Mid-American Conference play. The Broncos are currently riding a three-game losing streak, falling to MAC West leader Toledo, 85-81 on Tuesday night. WMU's offense is led by senior guard Thomas Wilder who ranks second in the league in scoring at 18.7 points per game.  

WILD(er)-N-Out
Against Toledo, Thomas Wilder went "wild" as he recorded a career-high 40 points on 11-of-24 shooting from the floor. Wilder also went 15-of-17 from the free-throw line and hauled in five rebounds and four assists.
The scoring outburst was the most points by a MAC player this season while Wilder became the first Bronco to score at least 40 points since Booker James did so back in 1987. The senior guard is one of just 16 players in the country to score at least 40 this season.

Only One in the Nation
Western Michigan is the only school in the NCAA to have had a player shoot 100 percent from the floor (min.10 att.) in a game and have a player score 40 points in a game. Junior Josh Davis went a perfect 10-of-10 from the field against Akron while Wilder scored 40 against Toledo.  

Wilder Rising Up the Record Books
Wilder with 1,810 career points, now ranks second on WMU's all-time scoring list. Wilder needs 313 points to pass David Kool for most all-time. Kool ended his career at WMU with 2,122 points.  

No Turnovers = No Problem
WMU is one of the best teams in the nation in protecting the ball as the Broncos rank 28^th in the NCAA in fewest turnovers.

Home Sweet Home
The Broncos have played well at home this season as the Broncos are averaging 80.1 points per game at home compared to 68.1 points on the road. Under head coach Steve Hawkins, WMU is 159-41 inside University Arena and is 98-28 in home MAC contests.  

Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois heads into Saturday's contest with an overall record of 10-10 and 3-4 in MAC play. The Huskies are fresh off a 93-62 victory over Bowling Green after shooting 61.3 percent from the field.

The Huskies have the league's leading scorer in sophomore Eugene German who is averaging 19.5 points per game. Overall, NIU ranks third in the MAC with a .459 field-goal percentage.