2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

www.niuhuskies.com 29 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

6-1021 • 229Egan • Forward Grafel Senior • 1L Oberlin, Kan. (Cloud County CC)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in 28 games, includ- Prep: Three-year letterwinner for Decatur Community ing three starts…was second on the squad with a High School…as a senior…was named to the Topeka 51.4% field-goal percentage…third on the team with Journal Capitol All-State Class 2A Second Team after 10 blocked shots…tied a career-high with eight points averaging 22.7 points-per-game and 13 rebounds, and had a career-high three blocks against Western while leading the state in blocked shots in 2003- Michigan (Mar. 1)...had five points and three rebounds 04…was also feted in the Salina Journal All-Area team, in nine minutes of work against Central Michigan (Feb. Hays Daily News All-Area team and Wichita Eagle 25)...gathered two points, three boards, two assists, All-Class 2A squad…a two-time All-Northwest Kansas two blocks and three steals against Buffalo (Feb. 3)... League selection…participated in the McPherson, North had four points, four rebounds and two assists in his Central (KS), Hutchinson, KU Barnstormer and NWKL first career start against Miami (Jan. 30)...was a per- All-Star games as a senior…placed third in state in the fect 4-for-4 from the field and finished with a career- triple jump at the State Track and Field Champion- high eight points against Toledo (Jan. 21)...had three ships. points and grabbed a team-best five rebounds against Bucknell (Dec. 30)...scored three points and grabbed Personal: Born Dec. 8, 1985…son of Keith and Roma four boards against Marist (Dec. 29)...totaled four Grafel…major is marketing. points, two rebounds and an assist against Troy (Dec. 9).

Prior to NIU: Transferred from Cloud County Com- munity College…averaged 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds as a sophomore, despite battling a separated right shoulder...helped Cloud County to the 2006 Jayhawk West Championship…during his freshman campaign, tallied four points and four rebounds in 30 games played…made the Dean’s Honor Roll twice.

GRAFEL’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 8 on two occasions Rebounds: 5 vs. Bucknell (12/30/06) Assists: 2 on three occasions Steals: 3 at Buffalo (2/3/07) Blocks: 3 at Western Michigan (3/1/07) FG: 4 on two occasions FG Att.: 5 at Western Michigan (3/1/07) FT Made: 3 on two occasions FT Att.: 4 vs. Bucknell (12/30/06) Senior Egan Grafel and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (Business) Sam Baker 30 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

GRAFEL 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. St. Mary’s 9 1-1 0-0 0-1 1 0 0 1 0 2 2.0 @ Duq. 11 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 2 2.0 Duq. 4 0-0 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2.0 Winthrop 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1.5 UIC 9 1-1 0-0 0-2 1 1 0 1 0 2 1.6 vs. Ga. So. 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.3 vs. Troy 11 2-3 0-0 0-0 2 1 0 0 0 4 1.7 @ Michigan 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.5 @ Lamar 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.3 @ SFA 10 0-2 0-0 0-1 3 0 3 0 0 0 1.2 @ Marist 10 1-1 0-0 1-2 4 1 0 0 0 3 1.4 vs. Bucknell 13 0-1 0-0 3-4 5 0 0 0 0 3 1.5 WMU 6 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.4 @ EMU 4 0-1 0-0 0-0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1.3 CMU 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.2 @ BSU 7 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.1 @ UT 10 4-4 0-0 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 8 1.5 UA 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.4 KSU 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1.4 @ MU 27 2-2 0-0 0-2 4 2 0 1 0 4 1.5 @ UB 23 0-3 0-0 2-2 3 2 2 2 3 2 1.5 BGSU DID NOT PLAY @ OU DID NOT PLAY BSU 5 2-4 0-0 0-0 2 0 1 0 1 4 1.6 UWGB 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1.6 UT 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 @ CMU 9 1-3 0-0 3-3 3 0 0 0 0 5 1.6 @ WMU 16 4-5 0-0 0-0 0 2 1 3 0 8 1.9 EMU 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1.8 vs. WMU 5 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 1 1 4 1.8

Grafel’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2006-07 27-3 229 8.5 19-35 .543 0-0 .000 11-19 .579 40 1.5 11 9 5 49 1.8 www.niuhuskies.com 31 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

6-631 • 244 Bristan • Forward Kelley Sophomore • 1L Lee’s Summit, Mo. (Lee’s Summit North)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in all 30 games, 11.4 rebounds-per-game…named to the Missouri including three starts…tallied eight points, four assists Basketball Coaches Association All-State team, Kan- and three rebounds against UW-Green Bay (Feb. 17)... sas City Star All-Area Team and All-District team as a collected a career-high 11 points against Akron (Jan. senior…two-time KCSBS All-Conference selection…as 24)...picked up four points and three rebounds against a junior, helped North to the District Championship, Ball State (Jan. 16)...scored five points and grabbed while averaging 10.7 points and eight rebounds per four boards against Bucknell (Dec. 30)...had eight game…started 20 of 26 games as a sophomore and points against Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 22)...scored six poured in 8.4 points and four boards per contest…was points and grabbed a team-best eight boards against a two-sport athlete for North, garnering All-Conference Lamar (Dec. 20)...posted six points, four rebounds, honors at tight end as a football player as a senior. two assists and two blocks against Georgia Southern (Dec. 8)...tallied five points against Illinois-Chicago Personal: Born April 24, 1988…son of Allen and De- (Dec. 5). nise Kelley…major is undecided.

Prep: Three-year letterwinner for Lee’s Summit North…helped push North to three consecutive Kan- sas City Suburban Big Seven conference champion- ships…as a senior, Kelley averaged 19.3 points and

KELLEY’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 11 vs. Akron (1/24/07) Rebounds: 8 at Lamar (12/20/06) Assists: 4 vs. UW-Green Bay (2/17/07) Steals: 2 vs. Bowling Green (2/7/07) Blocks: 2 vs. Ga. Southern (12/8/06) FG: 5 vs. Akron (1/24/07) FT Made: 3 vs. Bucknell (12/30/06)

Sophomore Bristan Kelley and English Instructor Stephanie Kummerer

32 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

KELLEY 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. St. Mary’s 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 @ Duq. 4 1-2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1.0 Duq. 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0.7 Winthrop 6 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 UIC 14 2-3 0-0 1-2 1 0 2 0 0 5 1.8 vs. Ga. So. 16 3-6 0-0 0-2 4 2 2 2 0 6 2.5 vs. Troy 14 0-3 0-0 0-0 2 3 0 1 1 0 2.1 @ Michigan 9 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 0 3 1 0 0 1.9 @ Lamar 23 3-8 0-0 0-0 8 1 1 0 0 6 2.3 @ SFA 19 3-8 0-0 2-2 4 3 1 0 0 8 2.9 @ Marist 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2.6 vs. Bucknell 14 1-2 0-1 3-4 4 0 0 0 0 0 2.8 WMU 14 0-2 0-0 2-2 2 1 1 0 0 2 2.8 @ EMU 13 2-3 0-0 0-0 4 0 0 0 0 4 2.9 CMU 9 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.7 @ BSU 21 2-2 0-0 0-0 3 0 0 0 0 4 2.8 @ UT 13 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2.6 UA 19 5-6 0-0 1-2 2 0 0 0 0 11 3.1 KSU 18 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 0 2.9 @ MU 5 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2.8 @ UB 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.6 BGSU 16 1-1 0-0 1-2 4 2 1 1 2 3 2.6 @ OU 17 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 3 3 0 0 2 2.6 BSU 21 3-4 0-0 0-0 3 3 3 0 0 6 2.8 UWGB 21 4-6 0-0 0-0 3 4 2 0 0 8 3.0 UT 14 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 4 3.0 @ CMU 18 1-2 0-0 0-0 3 0 0 1 1 2 3.0 @ WMU 13 2-3 0-0 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 4 3.0 EMU 17 1-1 0-0 1-2 2 1 1 0 0 3 3.0 vs. WMU 14 0-3 0-0 0-0 3 1 1 0 1 0 2.9

Kelley’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2006-07 30-3 404 13.5 38-81 .469 0-1 .000 11-18 .611 62 2.0 28 8 6 87 2.9

www.niuhuskies.com 33 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

256-7 • 206 Shaun • Forward Logan LOGAN’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 23 vs. Central Michigan (1/13/07) Senior • 1L Rebounds: 12 vs. Ga. Southern (12/8/06) Assists: 6 on two occasions Eldridge, Iowa Steals: 3 at Stephen F. Austin (12/22/06) Blocks: 3 vs. St. Mary’s (Minn.) (11/15/06) FG: 6 on three occasions (North Scott / 3PT FG Made: 4 at Ohio (2/10/07) FT Made: 11 vs. Central Michigan (1/13/07) Kirkwood C.C.)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in all 30 games, Athletic Conference First Team and was a McDonald’s including 25 starts…averaged 7.6 points-per-game All-American Nominee…was selected as the Quad City and was second on the squad in rebounding (5.5 rpg) Times Male Athlete of the Year as a senior…during and blocks (11)…shot 50.0% (83-for-166) from the his junior campaign, was named to the Iowa News- field…topped NIU with 74 assists…had a double-double paper Association All-State Second Team and earned of 10 points and 11 rebounds against Western Michi- the same honor from the Des Moines Register All- gan (Mar. 7) in the MAC Tournament…scored 16-of-17 State Second Team…named to the Mississippi Athletic points, including four three-pointers, in the opening Conference First Team and Iowa Basketball Coaches half in NIU’s 81-74 win over Ohio (Feb. 10)...posted Association All-District Team as a junior…earned Iowa 10 points against Bowling Green (Feb. 7)...earned a Newspaper Association All-State Honorable Mention career-best 23 points and knocked down 11-for-12 honors as a sophomore, including Mississippi Athletic at the free throw line against Central Michigan (Jan. Conference Second Team honors. 13)...had 14 points and three treys in the 70-68 win over Western Michigan (Jan. 6)...garnered a double- Personal: Born Aug. 14, 1985…son of Vickie Logan… double with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Ste- major is general studies. phen F. Austin (Dec. 22)...totaled 11 points, six assists and five rebounds against Troy (Dec. 9)...grabbed 12 rebounds against Georgia Southern (Dec. 8)...had an all-around effort of 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the Huskies’ 85-74 win over Duquesne (Nov. 25).

Prior to NIU: Averaged 13.2 points-per-game and a team-best 7.5 rebounds to help Kirkwood to a record of 31-5 and a runner-up finish in the 2006 NJCAA Division II Finals…in the championship game against Cecil C.C., Logan scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds…named to the All-National Tournament and All-Region 11 First Team…solid defensively, recording 60 steals, good for fourth overall in the Iowa Commu- nity College Athletic Conference.

Prep: Three-year letterwinner for North Scott High School…as a senior, was named to the Iowa News- paper Association All-State First Team, Mississippi Senior Shaun Logan and Coach Walt Owens

34 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

LOGAN 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. St. Mary’s 22 3-8 0-1 1-2 8 3 3 3 1 7 7.0 @ Duq. 19 4-4 0-0 1-2 3 1 3 1 1 9 8.0 Duq. 26 4-7 0-1 5-5 7 6 2 1 2 13 9.7 Winthrop 28 3-4 1-2 0-2 8 3 3 0 1 7 9.0 UIC 21 0-3 0-3 1-3 4 2 2 0 1 1 7.4 vs. Ga. So. 25 1-3 0-1 1-5 12 2 2 0 0 3 6.7 vs. Troy 26 4-10 0-1 3-3 5 6 3 0 1 11 7.3 @ Michigan 31 2-5 0-1 0-0 3 2 1 1 1 4 6.9 @ Lamar 21 1-3 0-1 0-0 4 2 0 2 0 2 6.3 @ SFA 35 6-9 1-2 2-3 11 2 2 1 3 15 7.2 @ Marist 34 3-8 0-3 0-1 8 5 2 0 1 6 7.1 vs. Bucknell 22 2-5 0-0 0-1 4 0 4 0 1 4 6.8 WMU 32 4-8 3-5 3-5 6 2 2 0 0 14 7.4 @ EMU 32 1-4 0-1 1-2 5 5 4 0 1 3 7.1 CMU 37 6-9 0-2 11-12 5 4 1 0 0 23 8.1 @ BSU 22 3-4 0-0 0-1 4 2 3 0 1 6 8.0 @ UT 20 2-3 0-1 0-0 5 4 4 0 0 4 7.8 UA 26 4-4 1-1 0-1 6 4 3 0 1 9 7.8 KSU 25 1-5 0-1 3-5 5 5 4 0 0 5 7.7 @ MU 29 3-6 2-2 1-2 5 3 3 0 1 9 7.8 @ UB 34 4-10 0-4 1-1 6 1 0 0 1 9 7.8 BGSU 26 4-5 0-0 2-2 3 0 0 1 1 10 7.9 @ OU 37 6-7 4-5 1-3 5 0 7 0 2 17 8.3 BSU 19 1-3 0-1 0-0 5 0 1 0 1 2 8.0 UWGB 21 2-8 2-4 0-0 4 0 0 0 0 6 8.0 UT 16 0-0 0-0 1-2 1 1 3 0 0 1 7.7 @ CMU 17 0-1 0-1 0-0 3 1 2 0 0 0 7.4 @ WMU 26 4-8 1-4 0-0 5 4 0 0 0 9 7.5 EMU 23 1-3 0-1 7-10 5 2 3 1 1 9 7.5 vs. WMU 34 4-10 1-2 1-2 11 2 3 0 0 10 7.6

Logan’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2006-07 30-25 786 26.1 83-166 .500 16-50 .320 46-75 .613 166 5.5 74 11 22 228 7.6 www.niuhuskies.com 35 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

6-35 •Richard 217 Oruche Guard / Forward Sophomore • 1L Bensenville, Ill. (Fenton)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in 18 games for the ald and earned Most Valuable Player recognition for Huskies as a freshman…dished out a career-high three Fenton in 2004 after leading the program to its first assists and grabbed two offensive rebounds against IHSA Regional Championship appearance since 1986... Western Michigan (Mar. 1)...had two points and three repeated as team MVP once again in 2005...recruited boards against Toledo (Jan. 21)...knocked down a by Southern Illinois and Alabama State before choos- jumper against Central Michigan (Jan. 13)...picked ing Northern Illinois. up a bucket in six minutes of action against Bucknell (Dec. 30)...totaled four points in 13 minutes of action Personal: Son of Nike and Osita Oruche...born Aug. against Illinois-Chicago (Dec. 5)...scored one point in 30, 1987...majoring in accounting. the Huskies’ 85-74 victory over Duquesne (Nov. 25).

2005-06: Used campaign as redshirt season and will maintain four years of eligibility.

Prep: Earned All-Suburban Prairie Conference East honors following his junior and senior seasons, av- eraging 18.2 tallies as a junior and 19.9 points as a senior...a two-time All-Area pick by the Daily Her-

ORUCHE’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 4 vs. Illinois-Chicago (12/5/06) Rebounds: 3 on two occasions Assists: 3 at Western Michigan (3/1/07) Steals: 1 on two occasions FG: 2 vs. Illinois-Chicago (12/5/06) FT Made: 1 vs. Duquesne (11/25/06)

Sophomore Richard Oruche and Professor Walt Owens 36 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

ORUCHE 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. St. Mary’s DID NOT PLAY @ Duq. DID NOT PLAY Duq. 3 0-0 0-0 1-2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1.0 Winthrop DID NOT PLAY UIC 13 2-4 0-0 0-0 2 0 1 0 0 4 2.5 vs. Ga. So. 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.7 vs. Troy DID NOT PLAY @ Michigan DID NOT PLAY @ Lamar 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.3 @ SFA 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 @ Marist DID NOT PLAY vs. Bucknell 6 1-3 0-1 0-0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1.2 WMU 11 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 @ EMU 0+ 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.9 CMU 11 1-2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 @ BSU 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.9 @ UT 8 1-4 0-0 0-0 3 0 1 0 0 2 1.0 UA 4 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.9 KSU 4 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 2 1.0 @ MU 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.9 @ UB DID NOT PLAY BGSU 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.9 @ OU DID NOT PLAY BSU DID NOT PLAY UWGB DID NOT PLAY UT DID NOT PLAY @ CMU 7 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0.9 @ WMU 11 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0.9 EMU 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.8 vs. WMU DID NOT PLAY

Oruche’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2006-07 18-0 104 5.8 7-18 .389 0-1 .000 1-2 .500 10 0.6 4 0 2 15 0.8

www.niuhuskies.com 37 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES 15 Zach Pancratz 6-4 • 199 PANCRATZ’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 22 on two occasions Guard / Forward Rebounds: 7 on four occasions Assists: 6 on three occasions Steals: 4 vs. Winthrop (2/18/06) Senior • 3L Blocks: 2 vs. St. Mary’s (Minn.) (11/15/06) FG: 7 vs. Winthrop (12/2/06) Schaumburg, Ill. 3PT FG Made: 6 vs. Winthrop (12/2/06) FT Made: 6 at Toledo (1/21/07) (Schaumburg)

2007-08 Notes: Will sit out the 2007-08 season due to injury. shooting from three-point range...tied highs with five rebounds and three assists vs. the Zips...clutch performer as a freshman 2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in all 30 games, including 21 and hit all-four 1-and-1 attempts in the final 18 seconds vs. Ohio starts…topped the Huskies with 51 three-pointers made…aver- to seal a 74-71 win...final one-and-one came with 10 seconds aged a career-best 8.9 points-per-game…chipped in 11 points, remaining and the Huskies leading 72-71...finished the game including three treys, in NIU’s 76-69 win over Eastern Michigan with seven points...returned to double-figures with 10 points (Mar. 4)...collected 13 second-half points against Toledo (Feb. vs. St. Bonaventure (Dec. 28) in the opening round of the Flint 22)...tied a career-high with a team-best 22 points against UW- Hills Islander Invitational in Corpus Christi, Texas...hit a pair of Green Bay (Feb. 17)...had nine points and a career-high six as- treys and all four of his free throws in the 71-62 win...poured sists in NIU’s 81-74 win over Ohio (Feb. 10)...posted 13 points, in nine points at Western Michigan (Jan. 19) on 3-of-7 shoot- including three treys, against Bowling Green (Feb. 7)...tallied a ing from bonus distance...hit two more treys at Central Michi- team-best 13 points and seven boards against Akron (Jan. 24)... gan (Jan. 15) and scored eight points...hit back-to-back threes came off the bench and posted 13 points and a team-best five in a win over Bowling Green (Feb. 23) and finished the game assists and seven rebounds against Toledo (Jan. 21)...collected with seven points and three assists...eclipsed the 30-minute 12 points and two three-pointers in the 70-68 win over Western plateau vs. Bradley (Dec. 1)...scored eight points and grabbed Michigan (Jan. 6)...scored a career-high 22 points, including six five rebounds while handing out two assists at Loyola in his col- three-pointers, all in the second half, against Winthrop (Dec. legiate-opener...scored eight points, with seven in the first half, 2)...posted 16 points, including three treys, in a 85-74 win over at Kansas State...hit 5-of-6 FTs vs. the Wildcats and dished out Duquesne (Nov. 25). four dimes...chipped in four points with a pair of assists and two steals vs. Southwest Missouri State (Nov. 24) in his second 2005-06 Highlights: Appeared in all 28 games, including eight career start...scored six points, including a key second-half trey, starts, and averaged 5.7 points and 18 minutes per game…aver- at Eastern Illinois (Dec. 11). aged 8.3 points per contest over NIU’s final 10 games…helped the Huskies snap a 12-game MAC road losing streak with a then, Prep: Earned All-State recognition after leading Schaumburg career-high 18 points and four three-pointers in a 73-69 victory to a 23-6 overall mark and an appearance in the IHSA Class over Toledo (12/3/05)…scored eight points in an 80-78 win over AA Sectional Finals...a 20.3 ppg. scorer who also averaged 5.8 San Jose State (12/29/05) at the Holiday Stores GranTree Clas- rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.8 steals...made 68 treys during his sic…grabbed a career-high seven boards and scored eight points senior season...named the 2004 Mid-Suburban League West in a 58-56 loss against Miami (1/3/06)…tallied 11 points, includ- Player of the Year...named to both the Proviso West Holiday and ing a trio of trifectas, in a 73-67 win over Ball State (2/1/06)… John E. Paul Thanksgiving All-Tournament teams...named the was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, including two treys, to Schaumburg High School Most Valuable Player and Defensive finish with eight points in a 86-60 win over Western Michigan Player of the Year...was a 50 percent shooter from the floor as a (2/4/06)…garnered 13 points in a 67-55 loss at the hands of senior, while hitting at a 77 percent success rate from the charity Kent State (2/12/06)…posted nine points in an 80-70 triumph stripe...finished his prep career playing for teams that were a over Central Michigan (2/22/06)…tied a then, career-high with combined 88-26...a Second Team All-State pick by the Chicago 18 points in a 78-73 road triumph over Ball State (3/1/06). Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune...twice earned All-Area honors from the Arlington Heights Daily Herald (2003 and 2004) 2004-05 Highlights: Became the third freshman of the Rob and was an All-Northwest Suburban choice by the Pioneer Press Judson era to start a season-opener...played 35 minutes and was as a senior...owner of the Schaumburg High School single game the first freshman since Kenny Battle (31 minutes) to eclipse three-point makes record (8) and made more career treys (180) the 30-minute mark in a season-opener...played 30-plus min- than anyone in SHS history. utes in four games as a rookie, including 33 vs. Akron, where he scored a career-high 15 points in the second half on 4-of-7 Personal: Son of Andy and Jeanette Pancratz...born June 18, 1985...majoring in Business...outstanding student who was a member of the National Honor Society...also an Illinois State Scholar. 38 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

MEET THE HUSKIES PANCRATZ 2004-05 GAME-BY-GAME STATS Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. @ LUC 35 3-9 1-4 1-2 5 2 3 0 1 8 8.0 SMS 26 2-5 0-1 0-0 2 2 1 0 2 4 6.0 @ DePaul 13 0-1 0-1 2-2 1 0 2 0 0 2 4.7 BU 36 1-3 0-2 0-0 4 3 4 0 0 2 4.0 UA 33 4-9 4-7 3-4 5 3 1 1 1 15 6.2 @ EIU 16 2-6 1-2 1-2 1 1 1 0 0 6 6.2 @ Kan. St. 26 1-7 1-5 5-6 2 4 2 1 1 8 6.4 vs. St. Bon. 25 2-3 2-2 4-4 1 0 1 1 2 10 6.9 @ TAMUCC 23 1-5 0-2 0-0 2 1 2 1 0 2 6.3 WMU 23 2-5 2-4 0-0 1 1 3 0 2 6 6.3 @ MU 28 1-6 1-5 0-0 1 1 1 0 1 3 6.0 @ BGSU 19 2-4 1-3 0-0 3 1 0 0 1 5 5.9 OU 11 1-4 1-2 4-4 1 0 0 0 1 7 6.0 @ CMU 25 2-6 2-5 2-3 3 1 2 0 1 8 6.1 @ WMU 14 3-7 3-7 0-0 1 3 1 0 1 9 6.3 EMU 15 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 3 2 0 0 0 5.9 @ UB 14 1-3 1-2 0-0 3 0 1 0 0 3 5.8 @ BSU 26 0-4 0-3 5-6 5 2 2 0 0 5 5.7 Marshall 13 0-1 0-1 0-0 3 2 2 0 0 0 5.4 @ KSU 21 2-3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 5 5.4 CMU 27 2-6 1-3 0-0 4 1 1 1 1 5 5.4 @ UT 32 2-8 1-4 1-2 5 2 1 0 1 6 5.4 @ EMU 18 1-5 0-3 1-1 2 0 2 0 1 3 5.3 @ Wright St. 28 1-3 1-2 0-0 0 2 0 0 0 3 5.2 BGSU 21 2-4 2-4 1-2 1 2 0 1 1 7 5.3 BSU 20 1-3 1-2 0-0 0 2 0 0 0 3 5.2 UT 29 0-3 0-2 2-2 5 0 4 1 0 2 5.1 Senior Zach Pancratz and Assistant Professor of @ UB 17 2-4 1-3 0-0 3 1 1 0 0 5 5.1 Math Alan Zollman

PANCRATZ 2005-06 GAME-BY-GAME STATS PANCRATZ 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. @ Mo. St. 17 1-5 0-2 2-5 3 2 1 1 2 4 4.0 St. Mary’s 37 6-11 3-5 2-2 5 6 2 2 1 17 17.0 Aurora 20 1-2 1-2 1-2 5 2 1 0 1 4 4.0 @ Duq. 33 1-8 0-5 4-6 5 6 0 0 1 6 11.5 DePaul 13 1-3 1-2 4-4 1 5 1 0 0 7 5.0 Duq. 24 4-8 3-4 5-7 4 2 2 0 1 16 13.0 @ Toledo 30 1-3 1-2 4-4 1 5 1 0 0 7 5.0 Winthrop 27 7-9 6-8 2-2 0 2 3 0 1 22 15.3 Wright St. 17 0-3 0-2 2-2 3 3 2 0 0 2 7.0 UIC 25 2-8 0-6 0-0 2 1 2 0 1 4 13.0 @ UIC 14 0-2 0-2 0-0 3 2 2 1 1 0 5.8 vs. Ga. So. 24 3-9 1-4 0-0 5 1 3 0 1 7 12.0 Kansas St. 11 0-2 0-2 0-0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5.0 vs. Troy 21 2-6 2-5 0-0 3 2 1 0 1 6 11.1 vs. SJSU 17 4-4 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 8 5.4 @ Michigan 30 4-8 1-2 3-4 6 2 3 0 1 12 11.3 vs. NDSU 15 1-3 1-1 0-0 4 3 2 0 1 3 5.1 @ Lamar 29 3-8 1-3 3-5 3 2 2 0 1 10 11.1 MU 23 2-5 1-3 3-3 7 1 0 1 0 8 5.4 @ SFA 21 1-4 1-2 2-2 1 0 2 0 0 5 10.5 UB 32 0-3 0-2 1-2 2 3 1 1 1 1 5.0 @ Marist 23 0-7 0-6 2-2 4 0 2 0 1 2 9.7 @ BGSU 17 1-4 1-4 2-2 2 0 2 0 0 4 4.8 vs. Bucknell 22 2-7 1-4 0-0 2 1 0 0 1 5 9.3 @ UA 11 1-3 1-3 2-2 1 0 1 0 0 5 4.8 WMU 30 3-9 2-6 4-4 3 1 3 0 1 12 9.5 OU 14 1-2 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 0 0 4 4.8 @ EMU 23 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.9 KSU 17 1-4 1-4 2-2 7 0 4 1 0 5 4.8 CMU 28 3-10 2-7 0-0 2 0 2 0 2 8 8.8 UT 11 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.5 @ BSU 21 1-5 1-4 0-0 4 2 1 0 0 3 8.4 @ CMU 13 1-3 0-1 0-0 1 1 1 0 0 2 4.4 @ UT 33 3-5 1-2 6-8 7 5 2 0 2 13 8.7 @ EMU 14 1-2 0-1 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 2 4.2 UA 34 3-9 3-4 4-4 7 1 1 0 1 13 8.9 BSU 22 3-4 3-4 2-2 2 0 1 1 0 11 4.6 KSU 29 1-9 0-5 2-2 3 1 5 0 0 4 8.7 WMU 9 3-3 2-2 0-0 3]] 1 0 0 0 8 4.8 @ MU 17 1-6 1-3 0-0 2 1 0 0 1 3 8.4 @ OU 16 2-6 2-5 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 6 4.8 @ UB 18 2-4 1-2 0-0 0 1 2 0 1 5 8.2 @ KSU 22 4-7 3-5 2-2 1 0 0 1 2 13 5.2 BGSU 32 4-9 3-7 2-2 1 2 1 0 2 13 8.5 @ Winthrop 24 4-7 3-5 2-2 1 0 0 1 2 13 5.2 @ OU 21 2-5 2-4 3-4 4 6 3 0 1 9 8.5 CMU 18 2-6 0-3 5-6 1 0 0 0 2 9 5.4 BSU 19 3-8 2-5 0-0 3 0 2 0 0 8 8.5 EMU 18 1-3 0-2 2-2 3 1 1 1 0 4 5.3 UWGB 32 6-9 5-7 5-5 4 1 2 0 0 22 9.0 @ BSU 29 5-11 3-5 5-6 5 0 0 0 0 18 5.8 UT 26 4-6 2-3 3-3 3 2 1 0 1 13 9.2 @ WMU 24 1-5 1-4 0-2 1 3 2 0 0 3 5.7 @ CMU 20 2-6 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 5 9.0 vs. UT 17 2-3 1-2 0-2 2 1 1 0 0 5 5.7 @ WMU 32 1-7 1-6 3-6 6 1 1 0 0 6 8.9 EMU 27 3-9 3-7 2-2 2 2 0 0 1 11 9.0 vs. WMU 28 2-9 2-6 0-0 6 1 4 1 1 6 8.6

Pancratz’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2004-05 28-7 634 22.6 41-128 .320 28-83 .337 32-40 .800 64 2.3 42 6 22 142 5.1 2005-06 28-8 505 18.0 47-112 .420 25-71 .352 40-53 .755 68 2.4 37 9 16 159 5.7 2006-07 30-21 786 27.1 79-220 .359 51-138 .370 57-70 .814 98 3.2 52 3 25 266 8.6 Totals 87-37 1897 22.3 167-450 .366 104-292 .356 129-163 .791 230 2.6 131 18 63 561 6.5

www.niuhuskies.com 39 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

6-010 • 168 Ryan • Guard Paradise Senior • 3L Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in 22 games, including 20 2004-05 (Redshirt): Redshirted the 2004-05 season while starts, and averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting a recovering from a left wrist injury. team-best 42.5% (37-for-87) from three-point range…posted 18 points in the Huskies’ 81-74 win over Ohio (Feb. 10)...garnered 2003-04 Highlights: Reoccurring left-wrist injury (shooting 11 points and four assists against Bowling Green (Feb. 7)... hand) shortened his freshman season...led NIU freshmen in converted four treys and finished with 16 points against Buffalo minutes per game (14.6) prior to season-ending wrist surgery... (Feb. 3)...tallied 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting against Miami back-up at the point and was averaging 17.5 minutes in the four (Jan. 30)...knocked down four three-pointers and finished with games prior to sitting out...played a season high 22 minutes in 16 points against Ball State (Jan. 16)...grabbed a career-high his last game of the season at Bowling Green (Jan. 10)...scored seven rebounds against Central Michigan (Jan. 13)...collected 18 a season-high 11 points against Ohio (Jan. 3) on a career high points against Eastern Michigan (Jan. 9)...finished with 11 points 9-of-11 shooting at the free-throw line...averaged 1.2 assists and three treys against Bucknell (Dec. 30)...scored a career-high in 14 games, with a season high three dimes coming vs. Cor- 23 points and tied a career-high with five three-pointers against nell College (Dec. 15)...scored seven points with a trey at Notre Marist (Dec. 29)...returned from a five-game absence due to Dame (Nov. 24)...also grabbed four boards and handed out two illness and responded with nine points in five minutes of action assists vs. the Irish in his first career road game...hit 3-of-5 against Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 22). shots to score eight points vs. St. Francis (Dec. 30).

2005-06 Highlights: Appeared in all 28 games and averaged Prep: Capped off a tremendous high school career with a great 4.8 points in 15.1 minutes of action per game…shot a team-best senior season...scored 19.5 points per game with 5.2 rebounds 45.5% (15-for-33) from three-point range and 52.4% (11-for- a contest as a Special Mention All-State selection by the Chicago 21) in MAC action…over the final nine games of the season, shot Tribune...also picked up state-wide recognition as an All-Illinois 58.8 (10-for-17) from beyond the arc…named the MAC West Basketball Coaches Association Third-Team member...All-Area Division Player of the Week for the period ending January 8, af- honors came in for the second year in a row from the Chicago ter scoring a career-high 22 points in an 84-82 overtime victory Sun-Times and Daily Herald...racked up his third All-DuPage over Buffalo (Jan. 7)…drained a career-best five three-pointers Valley Conference award with his second consecutive first team – all in the first half – in an 86-60 win over Western Michigan honor...highlighted conference play with a career-high 38-point (Feb. 4)…scored 10 points and tied a team-season best with four night against Glenbard North...had a strong junior campaign, steals in a 102-61 win over Aurora (Nov. 26)…scored 12 points scoring 19.2 ppg., while earning a spot on the IBCA’s Honor- on 4-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers, in a 98-97 able Mention All-State roster...numbers from 2001-02 gave him double-overtime loss to Winthrop (Feb. 18)…was a perfect 3-for- preseason publicity as a player to watch in the DVC from the 3 from three-point range and finished with 11 points in a 80-70 Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times in their annual boys’ win over Central Michigan (Feb. 22). basketball previews for the second year in a row...finished his career as the Redhawks’ all-time three-point leader with 151 treys ...his 1,293 career points rank second all-time at Naperville PARADISE’S CAREER HIGHS Central. Minutes: 35 at Miami (1/30/07) Points: 23 at Marist (12/29/06) Personal: Son of Fran and Nancy Paradise...born Feb. 24, Rebounds: 7 vs. Central Michigan (1/13/07) 1985...majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Assists: 5 vs. Duquesne (11/25/06) Steals: 4 vs. Aurora (11/26/05) Blocks: 1 on five occasions FG: 9 at Marist (12/29/06) 3PT FG Made: 5 on two occasions FT Made: 9 on two occasions

40 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

PARADISE 2003-04 GAME-BY-GAME STATS Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. EIU 14 1-3 1-3 2-2 1 2 1 0 1 5 5.0 @ ND 19 3-9 1-3 0-0 4 2 0 0 0 7 6.0 Illinois State 16 0-1 0-1 3-4 3 1 0 1 0 3 5.0 vs. UIC 16 1-4 1-2 0-0 1 2 1 0 0 3 4.5 @ Iowa 15 1-4 0-2 0-0 3 1 3 0 2 2 4.0 @ Marshall 9 0-2 0-1 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.3 Cornell 17 0-2 0-2 0-0 1 3 1 0 1 0 2.9 vs. SJSU 5 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2.8 @ BYU-HI 16 1-2 0-1 0-0 0 2 4 0 1 2 2.7 vs. Baylor 5 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.4 St. Francis 15 3-5 1-1 1-2 3 2 1 0 0 8 2.9 Ohio 19 1-4 0-2 9-11 0 0 2 0 1 11 3.6 @ UA 17 0-3 0-1 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3.3 @ BGSU 22 1-5 0-1 3-4 2 1 2 0 0 5 3.4 EMU DID NOT PLAY @ OU DID NOT PLAY @ BSU DID NOT PLAY UB DID NOT PLAY UT DID NOT PLAY KSU DID NOT PLAY @ CMU DID NOT PLAY @ UT DID NOT PLAY BSU DID NOT PLAY BGSU DID NOT PLAY @ Bradley DID NOT PLAY MU DID NOT PLAY @ EMU DID NOT PLAY CMU DID NOT PLAY Senior Ryan Paradise and Assistant Director of @ WMU DID NOT PLAY Student-Athlete Academic Services Greg Isaac @ UB DID NOT PLAY PARADISE 2005-06 GAME-BY-GAME STATS PARADISE 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. @ Mo. State 16 1-6 0-2 0-0 3 0 1 0 0 2 2.0 St. Mary’s 37 6-11 3-5 2-2 5 6 2 2 1 17 17.0 Aurora 18 4-5 1-1 1-2 3 2 4 1 4 10 6.0 @ Duq. 33 1-8 0-5 4-6 5 6 0 0 1 6 11.5 DePaul 12 3-8 0-1 0-0 2 2 0 0 0 6 6.0 Duq. 24 4-8 3-4 5-7 4 2 2 0 1 16 13.0 @ UT 10 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 2 0 1 0 4.5 Winthrop 27 7-9 6-8 2-2 0 2 3 0 1 22 15.3 Wright St. 13 2-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 1 0 4 4.4 UIC 25 2-8 0-6 0-0 2 1 2 0 1 4 13.0 @ UIC 15 0-2 0-1 0-0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3.7 vs. Ga. So. 24 3-9 1-4 0-0 5 1 3 0 1 7 12.0 Kansas St. 16 1-5 0-1 0-0 2 3 0 1 1 2 3.4 vs. Troy 21 2-6 2-5 0-0 3 2 1 0 1 6 11.1 vs. SJSU 9 2-3 0-1 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 4 3.5 @ Michigan 30 4-8 1-2 3-4 6 2 3 0 1 12 11.3 vs. NDSU 13 2-4 1-1 0-0 2 1 0 0 0 5 3.7 @ Lamar 29 3-8 1-3 3-5 3 2 2 0 1 10 11.1 MU 16 3-5 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 0 0 9 4.2 @ SFA 21 1-4 1-2 2-2 1 0 2 0 0 5 10.5 UB 33 6-10 1-2 9-10 3 4 2 1 2 22 5.8 @ Marist 23 0-7 0-6 2-2 4 0 2 0 1 2 9.7 @ BGSU 21 2-7 0-0 3-3 5 3 0 1 1 7 5.9 vs. Bucknell 22 2-7 1-4 0-0 2 1 0 0 1 5 9.3 @ UA 14 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 0 5.5 WMU 30 3-9 2-6 4-4 3 1 3 0 1 12 9.5 OU 15 1-3 1-1 0-4 1 0 2 0 1 3 5.3 @ EMU 23 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.9 KSU 12 0-4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 4.9 CMU 28 3-10 2-7 0-0 2 0 2 0 2 8 8.8 UT 12 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 3 0 0 0 0 4.6 @ BSU 21 1-5 1-4 0-0 4 2 1 0 0 3 8.4 @ CMU 11 0-1 0-0 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 0 4.4 @ UT 33 3-5 1-2 6-8 7 5 2 0 2 13 8.7 @ EMU 11 1-3 0-1 1-1 2 1 1 0 0 3 4.3 UA 34 3-9 3-4 4-4 7 1 1 0 1 13 8.9 BSU 9 2-2 0-0 0-2 0 2 0 0 0 4 4.3 KSU 29 1-9 0-5 2-2 3 1 5 0 0 4 8.7 WMU 16 5-10 5-6 0-0 2 01 0 0 0 15 4.8 @ MU 17 1-6 1-3 0-0 2 1 0 0 1 3 8.4 @ OU 8 0-2 0-1 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 0 4.6 @ UB 18 2-4 1-2 0-0 0 1 2 0 1 5 8.2 @ KSU 13 1-3 0-2 1-2 2 0 1 0 0 3 4.5 BGSU 32 4-9 3-7 2-2 1 2 1 0 2 13 8.5 @ Winthrop 16 4-5 2-3 2-2 1 0 2 0 0 12 4.8 @ OU 21 2-5 2-4 3-4 4 6 3 0 1 9 8.5 CMU 18 4-5 3-3 0-0 0 0 2 0 1 11 5.1 BSU 19 3-8 2-5 0-0 3 0 2 0 0 8 8.5 EMU 20 0-4 0-1 3-4 4 2 1 0 2 3 5.0 UWGB 32 6-9 5-7 5-5 4 1 2 0 0 22 9.0 @ BSU 17 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 2 1 0 1 2 4.9 UT 26 4-6 2-3 3-3 3 2 1 0 1 13 9.2 @ WMU 29 3-6 0-0 0-0 4 1 5 0 0 6 4.9 @ CMU 20 2-6 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 5 9.0 vs. UT 11 1-2 0-1 0-1 2 1 1 0 0 2 4.8 @ WMU 32 1-7 1-6 3-6 6 1 1 0 0 6 8.9 EMU 27 3-9 3-7 2-2 2 2 0 0 1 11 9.0 vs. UT 28 2-9 2-6 0-0 6 1 4 1 1 6

Paradise’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2003-04 14-0 205 14.6 13-46 .283 4-21 .190 18-23 .783 19 1.4 17 1 6 48 3.4 2004-05 DID NOT PLAY 2005-06 28-0 424 15.1 49-112 .438 15-33 .455 22-31 .710 47 1.7 34 5 15 135 4.8 2006-07 22-20 576 26.2 77-168 .458 37-87 .425 32-40 .800 41 1.9 42 0 13 223 10.1 Totals 64-20 1205 18.8 139-326 .426 56-141 .397 72-94 .766 107 1.7 93 6 34 406 6.3 www.niuhuskies.com 41 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

336-7 • 205 Ben Rand Guard / Forward Senior • 2L Rochelle, Ill. (Rochelle / University of Iowa)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in 19 games, including 12 AT IOWA starts…was sidelined for 10 games after undergoing arthroscopic 2003-04 Highlights: Played in 19 games for the Hawkeyes as a right knee surgery on Jan. 4…scored seven points and dished out true freshman, averaging 0.8 points in 5.2 minutes of play...also four assists against UW-Green Bay (Feb. 17)…tallied 10 points averaged 0.8 rebounds and shot 43 percent from the floor (6-of- and six boards against Troy (Dec. 9)...had a solid all-around 14)...played one of his 19 contests against Northern Illinois on game of 10 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven Dec. 6 in the championship game of the Iowa Hawkeye-Gazette assists against Georgia Southern (Dec. 8)...posted 15 points, Classic...played four minutes and handed out one assist in the eight rebounds and five assists in the Huskies’ 87-82 overtime 65-57 come-from-behind Iowa win...scored a season high five win against Duquesne (Nov. 20)...collected seven points, five points in a Nov. 23 win over UNC-Asheville and had four boards rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes of work in NIU’s 84-69 and three assists in a 19-point win over Penn State on Jan. 31. win over St. Mary’s (Minn.) (Nov. 15). Prep: Honorable mention prep All-American...named First Team 2005-06 Highlights: Appeared in 25 games and made eight All-State by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and Sec- starts, averaging 7.7 points and 21.3 minutes per game…missed ond Team All-State by the Associated Press as a senior... unani- the final three games of the season after tearing the anterior mous First Team All-Conference selection as a senior...three-time cruciate ligament in his right knee…shot 56.4% (66-for-117) Dixon Telegraph Player of the Year...scored a school record 2,144 from the field…averaged 6.7 points off the bench for the Huskies career points in his final three years and holds the Rochelle in 17 contests…scored 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting in his first career rebounding record with 829 boards...averaged over 23 career start, a 102-61 win over Aurora (Nov. 26)…was a perfect points a game each of his final three seasons at Rochelle, includ- 4-for-4 from the field and finished with 14 points in a 75-70 win ing 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and four assists per game as a over Kansas State (Dec. 20)…tallied a season-high 20 points senior, 23.1 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior, and 25 points and added 11 rebounds in a 84-82 overtime victory over Buf- and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore...shot over 50 percent from falo (Jan. 7)…led the Huskies in scoring in consecutive contests the floor each of those seasons as well...led the Hubs to regional against Akron (18 points, Jan. 14) and Ohio (19 points, Jan. titles as a sophomore, junior and senior...also competed for an 17)…posted 11 points in an 86-60 win over Western Michigan AAU team that placed in top 20 at AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 4)…topped the Huskies in scoring with a 14-point perfor- mance in a 80-70 win over Central Michigan (Feb. 22). Personal: Son of Cindy and Mike Rand...born Feb. 4, 1985... majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences. 2004-05 Highlights: Redshirted the season after transferring from the University of Iowa.

RAND’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 20 vs. Buffalo (1/7/06) Rebounds: 11 vs. Buffalo (1/7/06) Assists: 7 vs. Ga. Southern (12/8/06) Steals: 3 vs. Central Michigan (2/22/06) Blocks: 1 vs. Ohio (1/17/06) FG: 7 on two occasions 3PT FG Made: 2 on two occasions FT Made: 6 on three occasions

42 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

MEET THE HUSKIES RAND 2005-06 GAME-BY-GAME STATS Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. @ Mo. State 19 0-3 0-2 2-2 2 2 0 0 1 2 2.0 Aurora 25 7-8 1-2 0-1 2 2 2 0 0 15 8.5 DePaul 20 1-4 0-0 0-0 3 1 1 0 0 2 6.3 @ UT 18 2-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 4 5.8 Wright St. 21 3-4 1-1 2-2 0 2 1 0 0 9 6.4 @ UIC 20 3-4 0-0 0-0 2 0 1 0 0 6 6.3 Kansas St. 22 4-4 2-2 4-8 3 0 3 0 1 14 7.4 vs. SJSU 22 0-3 0-2 2-4 4 2 0 0 0 2 6.8 vs. NDSU 10 0-2 0-0 0-4 4 0 0 0 0 0 6.0 MU 18 2-4 0-0 2-3 4 1 4 0 0 6 6.0 UB 32 7-9 0-0 6-6 11 1 1 0 0 20 7.3 @ BGSU 14 1-2 0-1 5-6 0 1 1 0 0 7 7.3 @ UA 33 6-10 2-4 4-4 2 3 1 0 0 18 8.1 OU 29 6-8 1-1 6-6 8 1 1 1 1 19 8.9 KSU 23 1-6 0-1 0-0 3 2 0 0 0 2 8.4 UT 26 4-5 1-2 2-2 3 2 3 0 1 11 8.6 @ CMU 14 2-3 0-1 1-2 4 0 1 0 1 5 8.4 @ EMU 19 1-3 0-0 1-2 3 3 0 0 0 3 8.1 BSU 15 0-2 0-0 3-5 0 1 1 0 0 3 7.8 AT IOWA WMU 15 3-5 0-1 5-5 2 1 1 0 0 11 8.0 2003-04 Highlights: Played in 19 games for the Hawkeyes as a @ OU 12 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7.6 true freshman, averaging 0.8 points in 5.2 minutes of play...also @ KSU 23 2-5 0-1 0-0 3 3 2 0 0 4 7.4 averaged 0.8 rebounds and shot 43 percent from the floor (6-of- @ Winthrop 31 2-5 0-2 6-9 4 0 2 0 2 10 7.5 CMU 27 6-7 0-1 2-4 1 2 5 0 3 14 7.8 14)...played one of his 19 contests against Northern Illinois on EMU 24 3-7 0-1 0-2 3 2 1 0 1 6 7.7 Dec. 6 in the championship game of the Iowa Hawkeye-Gazette @ BSU DID NOT PLAY Classic...played four minutes and handed out one assist in the @ WMU DID NOT PLAY 65-57 come-from-behind Iowa win...scored a season high five vs. UT DID NOT PLAY points in a Nov. 23 win over UNC-Asheville and had four boards and three assists in a 19-point win over Penn State on Jan. 31. RAND 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS Prep: Honorable mention prep All-American...named First Team Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. All-State by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and Sec- St. Mary’s 19 3-4 0-0 1-1 5 5 3 0 1 7 7.0 ond Team All-State by the Associated Press as a senior... unani- @ Duq. 38 6-10 1-2 2-4 8 5 3 0 0 15 11.0 mous First Team All-Conference selection as a senior...three-time Duq. 24 1-4 1-2 4-4 4 5 0 0 1 7 9.7 Dixon Telegraph Player of the Year...scored a school record 2,144 Winthrop 22 1-4 0-1 0-0 1 4 1 0 0 2 7.8 UIC 22 3-7 1-2 1-2 2 4 1 0 0 8 7.8 career points in his final three years and holds the Rochelle vs. Ga. So. 35 3-8 1-3 3-6 8 7 5 0 1 10 8.2 career rebounding record with 829 boards...averaged over 23 vs. Troy 27 3-9 0-2 4-6 6 3 4 0 0 10 8.4 points a game each of his final three seasons at Rochelle, includ- @ Michigan 26 3-4 0-0 3-3 3 2 5 0 2 9 8.5 ing 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and four assists per game as a @ Lamar 20 0-2 0-1 0-0 2 2 3 0 0 0 7.6 @ SFA 26 0-2 0-0 2-2 3 5 2 0 1 2 7.0 senior, 23.1 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior, and 25 points @ Marist 24 1-3 0-0 1-2 1 1 4 0 1 3 6.6 and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore...shot over 50 percent from vs. Bucknell 12 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 3 0 0 0 6.1 the floor each of those seasons as well...led the Hubs to regional WMU DID NOT PLAY titles as a sophomore, junior and senior...also competed for an @ EMU DID NOT PLAY AAU team that placed in top 20 at AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla. CMU DID NOT PLAY @ BSU DID NOT PLAY @ UT DID NOT PLAY Personal: Son of Cindy and Mike Rand...born Feb. 4, 1985... UA DID NOT PLAY majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences. KSU DID NOT PLAY @ MU DID NOT PLAY @ UB DID NOT PLAY BGSU DID NOT PLAY @ OU 12 0-1 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 1 5.7 BSU 5 0-0 0-0 1-2 0 3 0 0 0 1 5.4 UWGB 20 2-4 1-3 2-2 1 4 1 0 0 7 5.5 UT 15 3-4 0-0 0-1 1 2 5 0 0 6 5.5 @ CMU 17 0-2 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 5.2 @ WMU DID NOT PLAY Senior Ben Rand and Dr. Harry Wright EMU 18 1-3 0-1 1-2 5 2 1 0 1 3 5.1 vs. WMU 14 0-2 0-0 2-3 1 0 5 0 1 2 4.9

Rand’s Career Stats (at Northern Illinois) Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2005-06 25-8 532 21.3 66-117 .564 8-26 .308 53-74 .716 70 2.8 34 1 11 193 7.7 2006-07 19-12 396 20.8 30-74 .405 5-17 .294 28-42 .667 54 2.8 56 0 9 93 4.9 Totals 44-20 928 21.1 96-191 .503 13-43 .302 81-116 .698 124 2.8 90 1 20 286 6.5

www.niuhuskies.com 43 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

6-122 • 177 Cody • Guard Yelder Sophomore • 1L Calumet Park, Ill. (Richards)

2006-07 Highlights: Appeared in 20 games, includ- Prep: Four-year starter for Richards High School… ing 10 starts, and averaged 9.8 points-per-game broke the Bulldogs’ school-record for career-points in his rookie campaign…was second on the squad with 1,748…was a three-year co-captain for the in field goal percentage (51.8%), three-point field Bulldogs…named the 2006 Star Newspaper and The goal percentage (40.9%) and free throw percent- Reporter Player of the Year…averaged 8.6 points-per- age (83.3%)…named to MidamPub.com All-Freshman game as a freshman, 19.3 points and five rebounds Second Team…posted a game-high 20 points against as a sophomore and 19.7 points and 4.7 boards as a Western Michigan (Mar. 7) in the MAC Tournament… junior...His senior season, posted 18.6 points and 5.5 scored 14 points, including a pair of treys, in NIU’s rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game as a 76-69 win over Eastern Michigan (Mar. 4)...collected senior. 14 points against Central Michigan (Feb. 25)...posted 19 points against Toledo (Feb. 22)...was named the Personal: Born Jan. 17, 1988…son of Louis and Van- Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the essa Yelder…major is undecided. Week for the period ending February 11…collected a career-high 20 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the final minute, in NIU’s 81- 74 win against Ohio (Feb. 10)...had nine points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action against Bowl- ing Green (Feb. 7)...missed 10 games after undergo- ing arthroscopic left knee surgery (Dec. 28)...had 11 points and five rebounds against Georgia Southern (Dec. 8)...posted 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting against UIC (Dec. 5)...scored 11 points and dished out four assists against Winthrop (Dec. 2)...tallied 13 points, six assists and four rebounds in NIU’s 87-82 overtime win over Duquesne (Nov. 20).

YELDER’S CAREER HIGHS Points: 20 on two occasions Rebounds: 5 vs. Ga. Southern (12/8/06) Assists: 6 at Duquesne (11/20/06) Steals: 2 on two occasions FG: 8 vs. Western Michigan (3/7/07) 3PT FG Made: 2 vs. Eastern Michigan (3/4/07) FT Made: 7 at Ohio (2/10/07) Sophomore Cody Yelder and Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Greg Isaac 44 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES YELDER 2006-07 GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Opponent MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A R A TO BLK ST TP AVG. St. Mary’s 15 2-2 0-0 1-1 1 0 0 0 1 5 5.0 @ Duq. 27 4-6 0-0 5-6 4 6 3 0 1 13 9.0 Duq. 20 0-4 0-1 3-4 1 1 1 0 2 3 7.0 Winthrop 23 5-8 0-1 1-2 3 4 4 0 1 11 8.0 UIC 27 5-6 1-1 0-0 4 1 6 0 0 11 8.6 vs. Ga. So. 26 5-9 0-1 1-1 5 1 2 0 0 11 9.0 vs. Troy 32 3-9 1-5 0-1 3 1 0 0 1 7 8.7 @ Michigan 20 2-3 0-0 1-1 1 0 3 0 0 5 8.3 @ Lamar 23 3-7 0-0 2-2 3 2 3 0 0 8 8.2 @ SFA 29 3-7 1-1 2-2 1 0 4 0 1 9 8.3 @ Marist DID NOT PLAY vs. Bucknell DID NOT PLAY WMU DID NOT PLAY @ EMU DID NOT PLAY CMU DID NOT PLAY @ BSU DID NOT PLAY @ UT DID NOT PLAY UA DID NOT PLAY KSU DID NOT PLAY @ MU DID NOT PLAY @ UB 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7.5 BGSU 15 3-5 1-1 2-3 3 1 3 0 0 9 7.7 @ OU 27 6-8 1-2 7-7 3 2 1 0 2 20 8.6 BSU 30 3-11 0-2 0-1 4 5 2 0 1 6 8.4 UWGB 30 2-5 0-0 2-2 3 3 3 0 0 6 8.3 UT 30 6-9 1-2 6-6 1 1 4 0 1 19 8.9 @ CMU 29 6-12 0-0 2-2 2 2 5 0 1 14 9.2 @ WMU 31 1-6 0-2 2-2 2 4 3 0 1 4 8.9 EMU 36 6-10 2-2 0-0 4 1 3 0 0 14 9.2 vs. WMU 34 8-14 1-1 3-5 2 3 1 0 1 20 9.8

Yelder’s Career Stats Year G-GS Min. Avg. FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. Reb. Avg. A BK ST Pts. Avg. 2006-07 20-10 506 25.3 73-141 .518 9-22 .409 40-48 .833 50 2.5 38 0 14 195 9.8

www.niuhuskies.com 45 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES Notes: Redshirted his freshman season due to NCAA 32 Darion Anderson initial eligibility standards. 6-2 • 200 • Guard Prep: Was a three-year letterwinner for (Chicago) Carver Freshman Military Academy...averaged a Chicago Public League-best 32 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Chal- Chicago, Ill. lengers as a senior...competed for the Illinois Fire AAU (Carver Military squad...participated in both the City vs. Suburbs and North vs. South All-Star games... Acad.)

Personal: Nickname is Jake...son of Darion Anderson and Althea Dumas...born April 8, 1987...major is unde- cided.

2006-07 Highlights: Used season as redshirt campaign 14 Darrius Gaters and will retain four years of eligibility. 6-6 • 209 • Forward Prep: Helped Marshall to a third-place finish in the IHSA R-Freshman Class AA state championships as a senior, where he served as a team co-captain…finished the tournament as Chicago, Ill. the leading rebounder…grabbed 13 boards in the semifi- (Marshall) nals against eventual state champion, Simeon…averaged 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds during regular season of his senior year for the Commandoes.

Personal: Son of Charles Smith and Bridgette Gaters... born August 28, 1988...majoring in sports management with a minor in business.

Prior to NIU: Averaged 11.8 points and 3.7 assists-per- game for Pratt CC on his way to Honorable Mention All- 3 Jarvis Nichols Jayhawk West accolades as a sophomore…was second on 6-2 • 219 • Guard the Beavers in both three-pointers made (29) and steals R-Junior (44) as a sophomore…in his freshman season, averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting Carol Stream, Ill. 35.8% (54-for-161) from three-point range. (Glenbard North / Pratt C.C.) Prep: Three-year letterwinner for Glenbard North… earned Team Most Valuable Player and All-DuPage Val- 2006-07 Highlights: Used season as redshirt campaign ley Conference selection as a junior and senior…knocked and will retain two years of eligibility. down 50% of his three-point attempts as a senior…aver- aged 12 points as a junior.

Personal: Son of Ellis Nichols and Shamella Anderson... born June 2, 1986…major is communications. 46 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

Prior to NIU: Averaged 4.8 points and grabbed 5.8 re- bounds-per-game for Kankakee Community College as a 2 Najul Ervin freshman. 6-5 • 207 • Forward

Sophomore Prep: Helped Mitchell High School to almost 90 victories in three seasons, including a runner-up finish in the state Memphis, Tenn. championships as a senior…a two-time All-Conference (Mitchell / selection...named to the Academic Honor Roll from 2004- 06. Kankakee C.C.)

Personal: Son of Juenile and Shawna Ervin...born No- vember 29, 1988……major is business management.

Prior to NIU: Competed for Genesis One Prep School in Jeremy Landers Mendenhall, Mississippi…helped Genesis One to a record 24 of 21-14 and a runner-up finish at the National Athletic 6-2 • 184 • Guard Christian Association championships…averaged 16 points Freshman and seven assists. Milwaukee, Wis. Prep: Averaged 21.4 points for Murphysboro to lead the (Murphysboro / Red Devils to a regional championship…posted a season- high 34 points in a 81-65 victory over Harrisburg during Genesis One (MS) his senior campaign…member of Stay In The Game AAU squad.

Personal: Son of Rickey Landers and Lisa Eichelberger ...born April 24, 1988…major is undecided.

Prior to NIU: Competed for Vincennes Junior College in 12 Sean Smith Vincennes, Ind….averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds as a sophomore for the Trailblazers…led Vincennes 11 times 6-7 • 200 • Forward in scoring, including five double-doubles and a season- Junior high 28 points against Allegany...during his freshman Gary, Ind. campaign, Smith averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 boards.

(Gary Westside / Prep: Two-time All-Conference and All-Area selection, Vincennes J.C.) while earning All-State honors as a senior for Gary West Side…two-time team captain…was a member of the 2002 Class 4A state championship squad…

Personal:Son of Sylvester Worthman and Dianna Smith...born December 12, 1985…major is general stud- ies. www.niuhuskies.com 47 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES

Prep: Three-time All-Chicago Public League Red North Michael Fakuade selection…helped Von Steuben to the Red North cham- 55 pionship as a senior…named to the Academic All-Public 6-7 • 218 • Center League team…left Von Steuben as the single-season and Freshman career leader in blocks…averaged 10 points, six rebounds and five blocks as a senior…member of the Chicago De- Chicago, Ill. mons AAU club basketball team. (Von Steuben) Personal: Son of Joseph and Ronke Fakuade…born Feb- ruary 18, 1989…major is Marketing.

Prep: Was an All-SICA South Silver and Daily South- town All-Area selection after averaging 14 points and 12 30 Lee Fisher rebounds as a senior…named Thornridge’s co-captain and 6-5 • 197 • Forward Team MVP as a senior…played in the McLegends All-Star Freshman game…named to the Who’s Who Among High School Stu- dents, High Honor Roll, Principal Scholar and had perfect Dolton, Ill. attendance…played for the Illinois Warriors AAU club (Thornridge) team.

Personal: Has a twin brother, William…son of Lee and Quwandra Fisher…born August 12, 1989…major is ac- countancy.

Prior To NIU: Played one season under Ricardo Pat- ton at the University of Colorado…one of eight players 41 Sean Kowal to appear in all 27 games…averaged 0.7 points and 1.4 6-11 • 240 • Center boards-per-game. Sophomore Prep: Averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds-per-game, St. Louis, Mo. while being named the 2006 Metro Catholic Confer- (DeSmet Jesuit / ence Player of the Year as a senior…shot 59.3% from the field…selected to theSt. Louis Post-Dispatch honor- Colorado) able mention all-metro team…as a junior, was sixth in Notes: Will sit out 2007-08 season per NCAA transfer the conference in scoring and averaged six boards-per- rules. game…selected to the Metro Catholic Conference honor- able mention squad.

Personal: Son of Elmer and Denise Kowal…born Decem- ber 22, 1987…major is Communications. 48 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide MEET THE HUSKIES before transferring to Northern Illinois…as a sophomore, averaged 5.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game…posted 44 Michael Hart a career-high 23 points against Illinois Wesleyan on Feb. 6-7 • 209 • Forward 16, 2005…added a double-double of 14 points and 13 Senior boards against Augustana on Feb. 19. 2005 and followed that performance two days later with a 19-point outing Bolingbrook, Ill. against North Park. (Bolingbrook / Prep: Was an Honorable Mention All-SICA North selection Carthage College) as a senior at Bolingbrook…was an honor student. Prior To NIU: Transferred from Carthage College… played for the Red Men from 2004 through the winter of Personal: Son of George and Noreen Hart…born August 2006…appeared in 33 games, including 13 starts…in 10 15, 1985…major is general studies. games as a junior, averaged 7.7 points and 3.7 rebounds

Prep: Helped Solebury School to a third-place finish in the state championships as a senior...earned All-Confer- 4 Michael Patton ence and All-Regional honors along the way…averaged 11 5-10 • 177 • Guard points, six assists and two steals per game...three-year Freshman letterwinner and two-time team MVP for Boulder High School…participated in both the Joint Effort Primetime Boulder, Colo. Hoops and Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase…member of the (Boulder / Colorado Select AAU basketball club.

Solebury School) Personal: Son of Ricardo and Jennifer Patton…born July 23, 1989…major is undecided.

TEAM MANAGERS

Adam Terrell Spencer Dulaney www.niuhuskies.com 49 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 OUTLOOK Taking over the reigns of a Northern “Those guys have been through the playing just 19 of NIU’s last 33 games Illinois men’s basketball team that won wars, and they understand what it means since the end of the 2005-06 campaign. seven games during the 2006-07 season to play in this conference,” Patton said of As a sophomore, the 6-7 swingman aver- was not discouraging at all to first-year the seniors. “They are familiar with how aged 7.7 points-per-game, helping the Huskie head coach Ricardo Patton. teams play, so we want our newcom- Huskies to the 2006 MAC West Division In fact, Patton saw potential in the ers and our freshmen to pick those guys title. squad and he loved what NIU had to offer. brains and we want those guys to lead the “Rand is one of those guys that is going “When you look at the resources that way. to be consistent in his efforts,” Patton we have, the facilities that you are work- “They have been tremendous team- said. “I think he is hungry, which is what ing with, with talent-rich Chicago 65 miles mates and have done everything we’ve we want from our guys. away and the whole state being full of asked.” “We talk to the team about being hum- talent, Northern Illinois makes a lot of Paradise, the team’s leading returning ble and hungry, and I think he is both,” sense for a lot of reasons,” Patton said. scorer from 2006-07 (10.1 ppg.), led the Patton continued. “Ben is a very humble “NIU is right there at the top of the league Huskies last season in three-point shoot- and focused young man who is really go- in many categories and has the potential ing percentage (42.5%) and seems poised ing to help this team be successful.” to be one of the best teams in the Mid- to continue that role. Grafel, who saw limited action as a American Conference.” “Paradise, you have to love that name. junior college transfer last season, came Patton knows what it takes to be one of He is a guy that has shown the ability to on toward the end of the year and aver- the best in the league as he led Colorado shoot the basketball,” Patton said. “If we aged 4.3 points and 1.3 boards over the to six postseason berths, including a pair were to draw up a late-game shot, right Huskies’ last four games. of NCAA tournament appearances, in 11- now we would draw it up for Paradise to “I have seen a great change in Egan,” plus seasons as the Buffaloes skipper. take it.” Patton said. “He has really picked up his With the arduous task at hand, Patton intensity and taken it to the next level. I hit the ground running upon his arrival in told him to dare to be great and not just DeKalb. do enough to get by. He needed to have “We haven’t stopped since we arrived,” a burning desire to be a major player Patton said. “Putting together the coach- on this team, and I have seen a drastic ing staff, getting to know the players, improvement in his level of intensity since preseason conditioning. It has been one our conversation.” thing after another, but it’s been fun and Patton has also challenged sophomore energizing for me. guard Cody Yelder. Yelder, a MidAmPub. “We have a tremendous staff, and com All-Freshman team selection last we’re excited about this opportunity to do year, averaged 9.8 points-per-game while something here that maybe hasn’t been shooting 40.9 percent from three-point done for a long time.” range. Patton believes that the Calumet With 17 roster-eligible players for 2007- Park, Ill., native needs to realize his po- 08, Patton knows the competition will be tential. fierce and will provide the depth neces- “Cody needs to become more consistent sary to be successful in the always-tough in his effort,” Patton said. “If he would do MAC. that, I don’t know if any of us know how “It should be a very hungry team,” good he could become. Patton said. “We are only going to travel “Right now, I think Cody is a guy that with 13 and possibly 15 guys this season. can play the point and run the team, “When you have 17 guys, they realize that is probably his best position,” Patton that if they don’t perform during the week continued. “I think the point position is a at practice, they probably won’t make Guard Ryan Paradise position that he has to excel in.” our traveling squad, so it should create a Lo- level of hunger and great competitive fire gan, a 6-7 power forward, is a player that amongst our guys, and I think it has.” does all the little things that don’t always Patton knows that he brings a different show up on the stat sheets. Last season, style of play to the Huskies, but he boils it the Eldridge, Iowa native averaged 7.6 down to two words: working hard. points and 5.5 boards-per-game in his “I believe that you can teach a guy to first year in a Huskie uniform. be willing to outwork and play harder, “Every day, he brings his hard hat to longer than our opponents,” Patton said. work and we know what to expect,” Pat- “Everyone can play hard for a certain ton said of Logan. “Every drill he tries to length of time but if you are able to play lead, every run he wants to be the first harder longer, then you’ve got a chance guy. He is a guy that will be running a to beat your opponent.” corporation one day, not just working at Patton believes that seniors Egan one, because he is consistent in his effort, Grafel, Shaun Logan, Ryan Paradise and and that is the biggest thing that I think Ben Rand will help set that example for the guys have to learn is to be consistent. the rest of the squad. Sharpshooter Zach “When you see guys scoring 20 points Pancratz, who led the squad with 51 in one game and then 10 in the next, that three-pointers last season, will miss the is inconsistent,” Patton continued. “Shaun 2007-08 campaign due to left shoulder Logan has shown to be our most consis- surgery. tent guy in his work.” Rand, who has undergone two surgeries on his right knee in the past two seasons, looks to be back at full strength after Guard/Forward Ben Rand 50 www.niuhuskies.com www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide potential,” Patton said. “He’s long, ath- letic, can run the floor, get to the rim, and can finish. “He is more of a scorer, and has a great “Defensively, he is a guy that can get mid-range game,” Patton continued. “It his hands on a lot of rebounds because of is hard to teach players today that there his length.” is a lot of basketball played between the Smith brings the most experience as basket and the three-point line. he averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds “I think [Jeremy] is a guy who under- for Vincennes J.C. as a sophomore last stands that and has a great mid-range season, helping the Trailblazers to a berth game.” in the NJCAA Tournament. Patton knows that the wins will come, “Out of the first-year players, he is but he wants his squad to take care of the probably the one coming in with the most little things that help lead to victories. experience,” Patton said. “I think right “I want to set a standard of how we now, if I had to pick a guy that I thought do things, how we dress, how we act, could become the team’s go-to guy, I how we approach the classroom, how we think it might be Sean Smith. treat one another and how we treat other “He is a guy that if you had a big guy people,” Patton said. “We want our guys playing along side of him, he could be to be winners off the floor in everyday life. a four-man that would cause match-up “I personally believe that if you are a problems. winner off the floor, you will transfer that The arrival of Anderson and Landers has to the floor,” Patton continued. “I do not bolstered the guard position. believe that you can be a loser off the Forward Egan Grafel As a high school senior, Anderson, floor and then all of a sudden hit the court whose nickname is Jake, led the Chicago Redshirt junior guard Jarvis Nichols (6-2, and become a winner. Public League in scoring, averaging 32 219 pounds) is eager to take to the court “There are some basic fundamental points-per-game for Carver Military Acad- after sitting out last season. Nichols was things that we are establishing in our emy. Patton is a big fan of Anderson’s an honorable mention All-Jayhawk West program that I think will spearhead us attitude. selection at Pratt Community College in into being one of the top programs in our “What makes Jake Anderson a special 2006 after averaging 11.8 points and 3.7 conference. When we recruit, we want kid and player is his level of focus,” Patton assists-per-game for the Beavers. to recruit guys that can help win your said. “He is very hungry and really wants “Jarvis Nichols is excited about the op- conference to be great; that in itself separates play- portunity to have a chance to play, and “In my mind, we are ahead of the curve ers. he has a great deal of talent,” Patton said. in a lot of regards in that way.” “I truly believe with his ability and level “He is a guy that I have been extremely On the court, opposing teams better be of focus, he has a chance to be a pre- surprised and pleased with thus far. ready for the Huskies. miere player in this league during some “He has shown the ability to guard the “We want to be a very physical basket- point in his career.” basketball and to sustain his defensive ball team and whatever pressure we ap- Patton believes that Landers is wise be- position,” Patton continued. “I believe he ply, we want to apply it for 40 minutes,” yond his years. Last season, the Milwau- can put the ball in the basket.” Patton said. “I want [opposing teams] to kee, Wis., native competed for Genesis Others expected to compete for playing view the Convocation Center as a difficult One Prep School in Mendenhall, Miss. and time at guard include sophomore Rich- place to come in and win. averaged 16 points and seven assists-per- ard Oruche and Michael Patton, Coach “We want a home court advantage,” game, leading them to a runner-up finish Patton’s son. Patton continued. “Although the students in the National Athletic Christian Associa- Sophomore fireplug Bristan Kelley (6-6, and the fans that are in the building en- tion Championships. 244 pounds) should provide some bulk in hance that advantage, the players have to “Jeremy is a terrific freshman,” Patton the post for the Huskies. Kelley averaged create that home-court advantage by how said. “He is a guy that I think really knows 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game for hard they play.” how to play the game from the wing spot. the Huskies last season, appearing in all Patton also hopes to prepare the

30 games as a freshman. Huskies for a grueling MAC campaign, as “We talked to Bristan early on about NIU’s non-conference slate opponents, becoming a beast on the blocks,” Patton including “Sweet 16” participant Southern said. “Defensively, he can guard bigger Illinois, averaged 19.6 wins in 2006-07. and stronger guys and push them off the “Our facility warrants teams coming block, and offensively, he has shown his in, our fans deserve it, but I also think ability to score around the basket.” it gives us a true gage of where we are Others expected to compete for time in when we get into our conference,” Patton the frontcourt are redshirt freshman Dar- said. “If you play a light non-conference rius Gaters, senior Michael Hart and fresh- schedule, you do not get a real gage men Michael Fakuade and Lee Fisher. of where you are, and you go into your Patton’s first recruiting class includes league and you are not prepared.” junior college transfers Najul Ervin (F, “Good teams expose your weaknesses 6-5, 207), Sean Smith (F, 6-7, 200) and and we want our weaknesses exposed as freshmen Darion Anderson (G, 6-2, 200) soon as possible because the earlier they and Jeremy Landers (6-2, 184). are exposed, the more time we have to Ervin, a sophomore, will often find him- pay attention to and correct those mis- self around the rim, but can cause havoc takes and weaknesses,” Patton continued. defensively, according to Patton. Last “We want to identify who we are, early, as season, Ervin averaged 4.8 points and opposed to being exposed later when it is 5.8 rebounds for Kankakee Community too late to do anything about it.” College. “Najul is a guy that I think has a lot of Forward Shaun Logan www.niuhuskies.com 51 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide 2007-08 ROSTER Alphabetical No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Wt. Hometown/High School/Last School 32 Darion Anderson G 6-2 Fr. 200 Chicago, Ill./Carver/Boys To Men Acad. 2 Najul Ervin F 6-5 So. 207 Memphis, Tenn./Mitchell/Kankakee CC 55 Michael Fakuade C 6-7 Fr. 218 Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben 30 Lee Fisher F 6-5 Fr. 197 Dolton, Ill./Thornridge 14 Darrius Gaters F 6-6 Fr. 209 Chicago, Ill./Marshall 21 Egan Grafel F 6-10 Sr. 229 Oberlin, Kan./Decatur Community/Cloud County CC 44 Michael Hart F 6-7 Sr. 209 Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook/Carthage Coll. 31 Bristan Kelley F 6-6 So. 244 Lee’s Summit, Mo./North 41 Sean Kowal $ C 6-11 So. 240 St. Louis, Mo./Desmet Jesuit/Univ. of Colorado 24 Jeremy Landers G 6-2 Fr. 184 Milwaukee, Wis./Murphysboro (IL)/Genesis One 25 Shaun Logan F 6-7 Sr. 206 Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott/Kirkwood CC 3 Jarvis Nichols G 6-2 Jr. 219 Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North/Pratt CC 5 Richard Oruche G/F 6-3 So. 217 Bensenville, Ill./Fenton 15 Zach Pancratz * G/F 6-4 Sr. 199 Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg 10 Ryan Paradise G 6-0 Sr. 168 Naperville, Ill./Central 4 Michael Patton G 5-10 Fr. 177 Boulder, Colo./Boulder/Solebury School 33 Ben Rand G/F 6-7 Sr. 205 Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle/University of Iowa 12 Sean Smith F 6-7 Jr. 215 Gary, Ind./West Side/Vincennes JC 22 Cody Yelder G 6-1 So. 177 Calumet Park, Ill./Richards

* Will sit out the 2007-08 season due to injury. $ Transfer who will sit out 2007-08 season.

Numerical No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Wt. Hometown/High School/Last School 2 Najul Ervin F 6-5 So. 207 Memphis, Tenn./Mitchell/Kankakee CC 3 Jarvis Nichols G 6-2 Jr. 219 Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North/Pratt CC 4 Michael Patton G 5-10 Fr. 177 Boulder, Colo./Boulder/Solebury School 5 Richard Oruche G/F 6-3 So. 217 Bensenville, Ill./Fenton 10 Ryan Paradise G 6-0 Sr. 168 Naperville, Ill./Central 12 Sean Smith F 6-7 Jr. 215 Gary, Ind./West Side/Vincennes JC 14 Darrius Gaters F 6-6 Fr. 209 Chicago, Ill./Marshall 15 Zach Pancratz * G/F 6-4 Sr. 199 Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg 21 Egan Grafel F 6-10 Sr. 229 Oberlin, Kan./Decatur Community/Cloud County CC 22 Cody Yelder G 6-1 So. 177 Calumet Park, Ill./Richards 24 Jeremy Landers G 6-2 Fr. 184 Milwaukee, Wis./Murphysboro (IL)/Genesis One 25 Shaun Logan F 6-7 Sr. 206 Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott/Kirkwood CC 30 Lee Fisher F 6-5 Fr. 197 Dolton, Ill./Thornridge 31 Bristan Kelley F 6-6 So. 244 Lee’s Summit, Mo./North 32 Darion Anderson G 6-2 Fr. 200 Chicago, Ill./Carver/Boys To Men Acad. 33 Ben Rand G/F 6-7 Sr. 205 Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle/University of Iowa 41 Sean Kowal $ C 6-11 So. 240 St. Louis, Mo./Desmet Jesuit/Univ. of Colorado 44 Michael Hart F 6-7 Sr. 209 Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook/Carthage Coll. 55 Michael Fakuade C 6-7 Fr. 218 Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben

* Will sit out the 2007-08 season due to injury. $ Transfer who will sit out 2007-08 season.

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE # 2 Najul Ervin...... Nah-JEWEL # 5 Richard Oruche...... Ah-ROO-chay # 21 Egan Grafel...... E-gun GRAH-ful # 41 Sean Kowal...... KOH-wall # 55 Michael Fakuade...... Fah-KWAH-day 52 www.niuhuskies.com