Nothing like a shitty call to stop NIU from winning against a Big 12 or Big 10 team. Is it me or does this seem to happen every time we get close to dominating or winning? It makes it much harder if we have to play against both a good team and the shitty refs. Good win KU, nice defense NIU. Hope you show up against Wisconsin or this is going to be a let down of a season.

Ok NIU Huskie faithful, the time is now to show the world that we are more than a mid-major and just a blip on the radar of larger programs. With all of the conference restructuring going on, we are poised to capitalize on a huge year. Now is the time to pack the house! We need a weekly sellout and to make as much noise locally and nationally as possible. Lets gain that national attention we all saw Boise St. receive last year and move up in the world of NCAA Football. BCS Anyone?

I have no links to confirm this one, but Chris Smith is going to the St. Louis Rams. Several places on Facebook and Twitter have confirmed that with all the congratulations he is getting.

Kube is still hoping to be signed somewhere in the NFL. He has been telling people on Twitter and Facebook "To all my people relax im getting picked up and new teams are coming forward hired the right person to get the job done so it will get done."

He has hinted several times that Chicago is where wants to go, we shall see.

Congratulations to Spann going to the Colts and Cox going to the Bengals.

It is great to see all these Huskies goin to the NFL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6560754

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema says senior running back Zach Brown is leaving the program and exploring his options to transfer.

Brown had his best season as a freshman in 2007 with 568 yards on 119 carries, but his playing time diminished in 2008 and 2009. He decided to redshirt last year with the Badgers boasting a group of backs that included Montee Ball, James White and John Clay.

Clay left school early, but Brown never jumped up the depth chart this spring.

Since Brown is expected to graduate from Wisconsin in August with a history degree, he's eligible to transfer and play for another Division I team this fall.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

I know our roster is already deep and the battle is hot for the RB position....but Brown may be worth a look...

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/41855/vote-non-aq-offensive-poy#comments

We just had a poll on defensive player of the year for the non-AQs. Now we end the day with a poll asking you, "Who is going to be the offensive player of the non-AQs in 2011?"

Two of the players I selected are my players to watch in my spring wrap: Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore and San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman. I have also included on this list Chandler Harnish of Northern Illinois, Bryant Moniz of Hawaii and G.J. Kinne of Tulsa.

Harnish had an outstanding junior season after many wondered whether or not he would be completely healthy for 2010. He ended up starting every game but one last season and threw for 2,530 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 836 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. With Chad Spann gone, the Huskies could rely more on him -- especially with a deep and talented receiving group."...

According to Huskiewire. Kyree Jones, Lee Fisher, and Bryan Hall will all be leaving the team. Jones and Fisher are transfering while Hall is staying to finish school. I personally dont think this is bad. Jones said he could not connect with Montgomery and if that is the case it is better he is transfering than staying and becoming an issue on the team. Plus having seen him play last year he was not as impressive as he was made out to be. He seemed to be lazy and lacked effort when he was on the court last year. Fisher was a decent player, but was replaceable. Hall was injury prone.

Overall I feel good about this and it means that we will have a very young team that Montgomery can mold to be what he wants them to be. As everyone knew we needed a change on the basketball court and starting over new with Montgomery's recruits is a good idea. It may mean we have some growing pains at first because of all the youth, but it is for the best.

What does everyone else think?

The Huskies got some much needed front-court depth today with the commitment of twin brothers Keith and Kevin Gray from Chicago's Brooks College Prep. 

NIU also received a commitment from guard Marquavese Ford-Brookins from Saginaw, Michigan. 

That makes 5 commitments for the class of 2011, which means that at least 2 players on the current roster most likely will not be returning.

Check back later this week for a more in depth analysis of the 3 signings.

Follow me on twitter @linkdepaula for NIU basketball updates.

The Wall Street Journal reports: If college football adopted an NCAA tournament-style, 64-team playoff bracket, an upset-filled tourney this past football season could have featured a Final Four of Northern Illinois vs. Air Force and Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech.

The Huskies would have been the football equivalent of Butler, with Air Force filling the Virginia Commonwealth role. Major-conference also-rans Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech would correlate to Kentucky and Connecticut in basketball.

Gooooooooooooooooooo Huskies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to Huskiewire, DeMarcus Grady is a wide reciever. We all know he had no shot at qb with Chandler having that spot locked down. I'm just wondering what everyone thinks?

I personally think its a good decision hes athletic and can move. I wonder how good his hands are, but hit him on a screen or a quick slant and see what he can do. It also gives us a trick play option every once in a while with him out there. As far as i see its a good move, wish it was done last year.

For those who may remember a year and a day ago I posted on this site that Me'co Brown was no longer in the plans for NIU and I was adamant that is was related to failed drug test.  I have since removed that post.  That lightning is striking again; this time on the other side of the ball.  I have a source within the Athletic Department that says two prominent defensive players failed drug test at the Humanitarian Bowl and are suspended as a result.  One will miss the season but has eligibility left and will remain with the team.  The other is done because this coming season would have been his final year and therefore his suspension will conclude his college career.  For those who are not aware a failed drug test for the first time is an automatic one year suspension and lost year of eligibility. 

I am aware of the names but have decided not to post them; some will say I am a hypocrite for doing this.  It's the reason I removed the post from last year.  I have my reasons for doing this, but we are in trouble on the defensive side of the ball given all we have lost due to graduation.