Monday, December 1st, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117) -- Evanston, Illinois. Television: Big Ten Network. Home Record: UC Riverside 3-0, Northwestern 2-0. Away Record: UC Riverside 1-1, Northwestern 1-1. Neutral Record: UC Riverside 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Conference Record: UC Riverside 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Northwestern Wildcats will try to remain perfect at the Welsh- Ryan Arena when they host the UC Riverside Highlanders this evening in a non- conference battle. After opening the season with a rough 27-point loss to New Mexico State, the Highlanders have been outstanding, winning four consecutive matchups. The last time UCR was on the court the team grabbed a 54-44 victory over Colgate. Next up for the Highlanders will be a home contest against Southern Utah. As for the Wildcats, they are coming off their first setback of the season, a 57-53 loss to Butler on the road. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Northwestern. The Wildcats, who are 2-0 at home this season, struggled at home this past year, posting a mere 5-11 mark. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Wildcats and Highlanders on the hardwood.

The fast start to the new year for UCR can be attributed to the team's tremendous defensive efforts, as the Highlanders are limiting the opposition to just 51.6 ppg. Unfortunately the team has been ineffective at the offensive end of the floor, netting just 57.6 ppg, while shooting a mere 40.6 percent from the field. Javon Borum is the only player averaging double-figures for UCR, as the guard is posting 11.6 ppg. Brandon Dowdy is second on the team with 9.8 ppg, but the guard is shooting a woeful 32.7 percent from the field. The last time the Highlanders were on the floor the team limited COlgate to just 44 total points. However, once again the team struggled offensively, shooting just 34.7 percent from the floor, which included a terrible 3-of-12 clip from long range. Aaron Scott paced the team in the win with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Jesse LoBue chipped in nine points off the bench. As for Borum, he dealt with foul trouble most of the game, and finished with just two points.

Just like their counterpart, the Wildcats have used tenacious defensive play to win games, limiting teams to just 52.0 ppg and 40.2 percent shooting from the field. At the other end of the floor the team is being paced by Craig Moore, who is averaging 15.8 ppg. Kevin Coble has been the main option in the paint for Northwestern, as the forward is posting 11.5 ppg to go along with a team-best 5.5 rpg. Michael Thompson rounds out the double-figure scorers for the Wildcats, as the guard is also chipping in 11.5 ppg. The last time Northwestern was on the court the team limited Butler to just 57 points, but the strong defensive efforts went to waste, as the Wildcats only posted 53 points. Thompson paced the team with 12 points in the loss, while Moore and Ivan Peljusic tallied 11 points apiece. As for Coble, he struggled in the loss, netting just three points, but did pull down seven rebounds.

Both teams have done a tremendous job defensively, but the Wildcats have a strong presence at the offensive end of the court, and should have no trouble grabbing a win at home against the Highlanders.

Predicted Outcome

Northwestern 66, UC Riverside 56