For the first time in the 2007-2008 men’s basketball campaign, a win or loss will matter.

The Huskies start the season tonight at the BTI Tip-Off Tournament at Northern Iowa.

NIU begins the tourney by facing host Northern Iowa today at 8:15 p.m. It will then play two more games, facing Massachusetts and Cal-Poly on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Coach Ricardo Patton said he has almost finalized the starting roster after Monday’s exhibition game against Augustana. The coach expects his five starters from the two exhibition games to be on the court during tip-off.

This quintet included forwards Michael Hart and Shaun Logan and guards Ryan Paradise, Cody Yelder and Jarvis Nichols.

Paradise thinks that the two preseason matches were a good chance for not only the starters, but the team as a whole, to see where they stand.

“The last two games were pretty good tests to see where we are at early in the season,” the senior said.

Patton suggested that one change might be made to his starting lineup. As of Monday night, the coach was still deciding if Nichols would be starting. Patton’s other option for the position is junior college transfer Sean Smith.

The coach must also decide who he will redshirt for the season before tonight’s game.

NIU has 19 players on its roster this season. Two of these players, Zach Pancratz and Sean Kowal, will be redshirted due to injury and transferring. This leaves eight other possible candidates who could be redshirted this year.

Two new players who will not be redshirted include guard Michael Patton and forward Najul Ervin. The first-year coach said on Monday that both of these players would be eligible to play this year.

“I intended to redshirt [Michael Patton], but I don’t think I’m going to do that now,” the coach said. “I think he’s solid enough to be the back-up point guard behind Cody [Yelder].”

Ervin was unable to participate in NIU’s two exhibition games due to a groin muscle injury. However, Patton expects him to still be a key player for the Huskies.

“It’s unfortunate. He really needed to play in these two exhibitions. He’s a major factor in our press,” Patton said. “But I didn’t want to risk further injury.”

Redshirting a player means a player can practice with the team, but cannot compete in games. This is done so the player does not lose a year of their four years of eligibility.

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