Northern Illinois Stuns Western Michigan in 20-Point Upset

In a shocking turn of events, Northern Illinois pulled off a stunning 20-point upset over Western Michigan, winning 85-65 at the NIU Convocation Center. This outcome was a far cry from the predicted score, as CHD Scout had Western Michigan narrowly edging out Northern Illinois by 0.8 points. Instead, the Huskies dominated from start to finish, leaving the Broncos reeling.

Dylan Ducommun was the star of the show for Northern Illinois, scoring 21 points to lead his team to victory. He was supported by strong performances from Taj Walters, who chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds, and Makhai Valentine, who added 16 points and 5 rebounds. The Huskies' balanced attack proved too much for Western Michigan to handle, as they built a 5-point lead by halftime and never looked back.

Brady Swartz was the top performer for Western Michigan, scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Huskies' onslaught. Trey Lewis and Justice Williams also reached double figures for the Broncos, scoring 10 points each, but their team's defense was unable to contain Northern Illinois' high-powered offense.

The Huskies' 50-point second half was the final nail in the coffin for Western Michigan, as they outscored the Broncos by 15 points in the period. Northern Illinois' victory was a significant upset, considering Western Michigan's higher net ranking and preseason expectations. The Broncos' loss will likely drop them in the rankings, while the Huskies want to build on this momentum.

This result has real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Northern Illinois, the win is a much-needed boost, but it still falls under the Quadrant 4 category. The Huskies' current net ranking of 319 makes it an uphill climb to become a viable tournament contender. On the other hand, Western Michigan's loss is a Quadrant 4 defeat, which will not help their tournament chances. The Broncos' current net ranking of 252 is already on the bubble, and this loss will not provide the boost they needed to feel secure about their postseason prospects.

In the end, Northern Illinois' dominating performance will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the season. The Huskies' ability to take down a higher-ranked opponent will give them confidence moving forward, even if it doesn't immediately improve their tournament chances. As for Western Michigan, they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. The loss is a setback, but it's not a death blow – yet. The Broncos must bounce back quickly to avoid falling further behind in the rankings.