YPSILANTI, Mich. (Interstat) — A pair of Mid-American Conference men’s basketball teams trending in opposite directions will meet Tuesday when the Eastern Michigan Eagles host the Northern Illinois Huskies at the Convocation Center.

Eastern Michigan (8-8 overall) enters at .500, seeking consistency after a 62-79 road loss at Western Michigan last Saturday. The Eagles had previously delivered a dominant 74-52 conference win at Ball State on Jan. 6. Northern Illinois (5-10) looks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 61-75 home loss to Toledo on Jan. 6.

The matchup features two of the conference’s top individual performers. Eastern Michigan is led by guard Addison Patterson, who is coming off a 17-point, 8-assist effort against Western Michigan. Over his last five games, Patterson has averaged 15.6 points and 4.4 assists, serving as the primary catalyst for the Eagles’ offense.

For the Huskies, forward Taj Walters has been a bright spot during their recent struggles. Walters posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in a narrow 73-77 loss at Kent State on Jan. 3 and has scored in double figures in four of his last five contests. His production on the glass will be key against an Eastern Michigan team that has shown volatility.

The Eagles have demonstrated a higher ceiling this season, including a non-conference road win at Cincinnati, but have struggled with defensive lapses in losses. Northern Illinois, meanwhile, has found wins hard to secure since conference play began, with its last victory being a 74-73 nail-biter over Central Michigan on Dec. 20.

Tuesday’s contest opens a critical stretch for both squads as they navigate the MAC schedule. Eastern Michigan will aim to protect its home court and climb above .500, while Northern Illinois desperately seeks a road victory to stabilize its season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.