As students return home to spend time with family and fill up on turkey, the NIU women’s basketball team will spend Thanksgiving break south of the border.

NIU participates in the 2007 Caribbean Challenge in Cancun, Mexico. The Huskies (2-1) square off against No. 17 Michigan State at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and follow that with a matchup against Tulane at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Huskies departed for Cancun on Sunday and will have a week to experience the Mexican culture, playing competitive basketball at the same time.

“It will be a very good team-building experience,” said junior guard Jessie Wilcox. “We have six new players and if we get to know each other off the court, it will help us play better on the court. That’s the most important thing about this week.”

NIU last played MSU in 1991, when the Huskies posted a 58-55 victory over the Spartans. Coming off the third-straight season in which they reached the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans (2-1) feature 6-foot-9 center Allyssa DeHaan. The sophomore finished last season seventh all-time with 145 blocks.

“I think we will be put into a lot of tough situations that will help us in the future,” Wilcox said. “The more challenging games we play early will help us in the MAC later on.”

Thursday’s matchup with reigning Conference USA champion Tulane (3-1) will also be a challenge for the Huskies. This is NIU’s first meeting with the Green Wave.

“This will be a great experience for us,” said sophomore forward Becky Smith. “It’s nice knowing we’re the underdogs coming in. It gives us a chance to play some tough games and come together and play hard for a full 40 minutes against good opponents.”

Aside from basketball, some other things on the itinerary may include snorkeling and becoming more familiar with Mexican culture, Wilcox said.

“I’ve never been out of the country and I’m very excited,” Smith said. “Rumor has it that we’ll be doing some exotic sightseeing.”

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