Off to a 2-0 start in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play, the Benedictine University men's basketball team will have its unbeaten conference record tested this week. Three NACC contests are on this week's schedule: Aurora University at home on Wednesday night, Concordia University Chicago on the road on Thursday night, and a Saturday afternoon trip to Concordia University Wisconsin.
 
Benedictine has gone 3-1 to begin the season, which is the school's best start since 2008-2009 when BenU finished 19-8. The Eagles split a pair of games last week, falling 86-73 to Wheaton College despite 27 points from Michael Blaszczyk and defeating Edgewood College at the Dan and Ada Rice Center 63-53 to move to 2-0 in NACC competition. Blaszczyk is the high man in points (13.8) rebounds (5.8) and assists (3.0) thus far, while John Dodson has also averaged double-figures in scoring (10.0).
  
The BenU-AU rivalry has a long history on the basketball court, and this year's chapter figures to be just as entertaining as seasons' past. With five starters back from last season's 18-9 team, the Spartans were picked first in this year's NACC preseason poll. AU has responded to the high expectations with a 3-2 start, with wins over Millikin University, UW-La Crosse, and Concordia-Wisconsin and losses to St. Francis University (Ill.) and North Central College.
 
Aurora and Benedictine have met three times in each of the past four seasons, with BenU holding a 7-5 advantage (5-3 in the regular season, 2-2 in the NACC Tournament). However, AU has won five of the last six matchups, including wins over the Eagles in the last two NACC Tournaments. Individually, Blaszczyk averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds against AU last season, while Tim McGinty averaged 11 points and 9.7 rebounds.
  
After a disappointing 2013-2014 campaign, the Cougars are off to a nice 2-2 start to the season. CUC has non-conference victories over Knox College and Roosevelt University and a close defeat at the hands of Maranatha Baptist University. To open the NACC schedule on Saturday, high-powered Lakeland College upended the Cougars 76-60, as the Muskies forced 17 Cougar turnovers.
 
Benedictine has controlled the series against CUC since the NACC was formed in 2006, holding a 14-2 advantage over the River Forest school. BenU's last loss to the Cougars came in Lisle back during the 2009-2010 season, meaning BenU has won the last eight matchups. Blaszczyk recorded a 22 point game in River Forest last season, while McGinty (9.6 points in six career games), Tim Reamer (14 points and seven rebounds in Lisle last season), and Dodson (8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in three career games) have performed strong against CUC in the past.
  
Traditionally a strong NACC opponent, the Falcons have struggled to begin the season. Aside from a 93-62 victory over Martin Luther, CUW has lost each game by 10 points or more. The team lost to the University of Dubuque, UW-River Falls, and Aurora thus far, and has tough NACC foes in Edgewood College, Lakeland, and BenU up next on the schedule.
 
The Eagles and Falcons have had some very competitive games in the NACC's history, as BenU is 7-5 against CUW in NACC contests. Last season, the two teams split decisions, with BenU winning 99-94 in Lisle and CUW coming out on top in Wisconsin 90-76. McGinty has had some of his strongest games against the Falcons, averaging 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in five career games in the series.