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Men’s basketball sophomore Abdel Nader nets West Division Preseason All-MAC Team spot

October 30, 2012
Abdel Nader

Abdel Nader

Sophomore Abdel Nader (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) of the Northern Illinois men’s basketball team has been named to the Mid-American Conference West Division Preseason All-MAC Team announced today by the league office.

Nader, an All-MAC Freshman team selection last season, was one of five players selected by the 24-member media panel.

Nader averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game a season ago while playing in all 31 games, including 29 starts. The Skokie, Ill., native scored 11.5 points per game during conference play, second-best among MAC freshmen behind Miami’s Brian Sullivan (11.8).

The 6-foot-7 Nader led the Huskies in scoring 15 times a season ago and scored in double figures on 17 occasions, including three games of 20-or-more points. Nader had a season-high 26 points against Ball State last season on Jan. 21.

In addition to his scoring prowess, Nader also ranked 14th in the MAC in blocked shots last season and was fourth among conference rookies in steals.

Joining Nader on the Preseason All-MAC West Division team are Ball State’s Jesse Berry, Western Michigan’s Nate Hutcheson as well as Rian Pearson and Julius Brown of Toledo.

Head coach Mark Montgomery

Head coach Mark Montgomery

The MAC also announced its preseason media poll results today.

Toledo was picked to win the MAC West while Ohio was voted the East favorite as well as the favorite to win the conference tournament. NIU was picked to finish fifth in the West.

Northern Illinois opens the 2012-13 campaign at  7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, when it hosts Aurora University in an exhibition contest at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies open the regular season Friday, Nov. 9, at Nebraska-Omaha.

NIU basketball season tickets are on sale now, including the combined men’s and women’s season ticket which gives fans 27 games for $126. Season tickets for NIU men’s basketball are available to the general public for just $99, or $86 for NIU football season ticket holders, faculty/staff or seniors.

Season tickets reserve Huskie fans the same seats for all 15 Huskie men’s home games this season at a 33 percent discount over single game prices. Courtside season tickets are also available for $399.

Fans also can purchase season tickets by calling (815) 753-1923.

For more information on NIU men’s basketball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.