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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (14-13, 8-6 MAC) is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 21 when the Bobcats travel to DeKalb, Ill. to take on Northern Illinois (9-16, 4-9 MAC). Tip-off is set fro 3 p.m. ET inside the NIU Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN+.

The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App. 

TIP-OFF
- This is the 67th all-time meeting between Ohio and NIU.
- Ohio leads the all-time series, 43-23.
- Ohio is 17-7 against NIU since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 11-2 against the Huskies under Jeff Boals.
- Ohio and NIU met earlier this season on Jan 20, with Ohio winning, 80-77 in Athens.
- Ohio and NIU met once last season on Jan. 11 in Athens, with Ohio winning, 108-70 inside the Convo
- The Bobcats are currently ranked 216 in the latest NET rankings, with opponent Northern Illinois in at 315.
- Ohio is coming off a 69-57 win over Ball State at home on Tuesday.
- Against Ball State, senior forward Aidan Hadaway scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while senior guard Jackson Paveletzke added 18 points, six assists and four rebounds.
- Against #23 Miami on Friday, senior guard Jackson Paveletzke scored a game-high 22 points.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a career-high 24 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds on Jan. 31 in Ohio's win at Buffalo.
- In the Bobcats game at Kent State on Jan. 27, Ohio forced the Flashes to turn over the ball 20 times, recording 13 steals in the process.
- Freshman guard JJ Kelly finished the game against NIU with a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois is currently 9-16 overall and 4-9 in MAC play and are coming off a 72-70 win at Buffalo on Tuesday. 

Overall, NIU averages 71.1 points per game, while shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 32.1 percent from three and 66.5 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 76.2 points per game, while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from three and 72.0 percent from the line. 

Northern Illinois is averaging 35.9 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 6.2 steals and 2.0 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times a game. NIU opponents are averaging 33.2 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.5 blocks a game, while forcing 15.2 turnovers a contest. 

NIU is led by Makhai Valentine with 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds a game, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the line. Dylan Ducommun adds 11.9 points a game, while shooting 35.0 percent from the field, while Gianni Cobb averages 9.1 points and had 98 assists on the season. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 14-13 overall and 8-6 in MAC play and are coming off a 69-57 win over Ball State at home on Tuesday. 

Ohio is averaging 71.3 points a game, while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from three and 70.1 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 33.7 rebounds a game, while dishing out 13.5 assists and recording 6.4 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 12.4 times a game, scoring on average 14.1 points off them. 

Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 77.0 points a game, while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three and 72.5 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 35.8 rebounds, 13.1 assists and 6.1 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times a game, while scoring on average 12.2 points off them. 

Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 16.8 points and 5.2 assists a game, while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.1 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds a game, while shooting 48.7 percent from the field, while redshirt junior froward Javan Simmons adds 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field. 

ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHERN ILLINOIS
This is the 67th all-time meeting between Ohio and NIU.

Ohio leads the all-time series, 43-23.

Ohio is 17-7 against NIU since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 11-2 against the Huskies under Jeff Boals.

Ohio and NIU met earlier this season on Jan 20, with Ohio winning, 80-77 in Athens.

Ohio and NIU met once last season on Jan. 11 in Athens, with Ohio winning, 108-70 inside the Convo

LAST TIME AGAINST BALL STATE
Ohio and NIU met earlier this season on Jan 20, with Ohio winning, 80-77 in Athens. 

The Bobcats shot the ball well from three against the Huskies, converting on eight shots. As a team, Ohio shot 50 percent from the field with 27 total field goals. On the glass, the Bobcats grabbed 28 rebounds, including 21 on defense. The team forced 17 turnovers while blocking seven shots. 

Ohio was led in scoring by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke, who tallied 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Freshman guard JJ Kelly had a career night with a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway scored 18 points in the contest while leading the team with six assists. 

OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently eighth in the conference in scoring (16.8), third in assists (5.2) and first in minutes (36.2). 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is seventh in the league in rebounding (7.3).

Senior guard Ajay Sheldon is eighth in the MAC in steals (1.5). 

OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 216 in the latest NET rankings, with NIU ranked at 315

Miami leads the conference in NET this week at 48. 

BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 16th in the nation in minutes per game, 52nd in assists, 73rd in free throws, 82nd in free throw attempts and 50th in assists per game. 

Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 77th in the nation in free throw attempts. 

UP NEXT
Ohio is off during the week, but will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 28 when Ohio hosts Toledo. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN+. It will also be Senior Night in the Convo. 

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