This would've been the goofiest Red Line Upset. NIU, they of one Division 1 victory, had a legitimate chance of taking a win against Big East cellar dweller DePaul, although they're actualy on a nice winning streak, improving to 8-3 with this win. NIU out-hustled them on the boards, winning the rebounding margin 33-23 and 14-4 offensively. But DePaul had to make free throws down the stretch and they did, to the beat of 21-for-25.
Abdel Nader scored 20 points to lead NIU, with Akeem Springs scoring 11. (By the way, Abdel Nader's back, if you didn't notice it during their last game. I'm bad at this.)
Could this game be a springboard into staying in games late against better competition? We'll have to see as NIU takes a west coast trip, starting with a Wednesday night date at Seattle.