# Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball

The Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball team represents Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1996.

## History
### Conference affiliations

* 1900–01 to 1919–20: Independent
* 1920–21 to 1965–66: Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* 1966–67 to 1967–70: NCAA Division I Independent
* 1970–71 to 1971–72: Midwestern Conference
* 1972–73 to 1974–75: NCAA Division I Independent
* 1975–76 to 1985–86: Mid-American Conference
* 1986–87 to 1989–90: NCAA Division I Independent
* 1990–91 to 1993–94: Mid-Continent Conference
* 1994–95 to 1996–97: Midwestern Collegiate Conference
* 1997–98 to present: Mid-American Conference

#### Notes

* ↑ Now known as the Summit League since 2007–08.
* ↑ Now known as the Horizon League since 2001–02.

## The All-Century Team
### Best of Northern Illinois Men’s Basketball (1900-2000)

The Northern Illinois University athletic department celebrated 100 years of Huskies basketball in the 2000–01 season. A panel of 29 Administrators, NIU Staff/Faculty, NIU Alumni, Media and NIU Media Services were given the opportunity to cast votes for the greatest players to ever don the cardinal and black of Northern Illinois University, resulting in a total of 46 players. Eighty-six different Huskie players received at least one vote, including 33 Northern Illinois Hall of Famers, plus 12 performers either drafted or signed as free agents by the National Basketball Association. Members of the All-Century Team were acknowledged at halftime of the NIU-Ball State Cardinals men's basketball game on Saturday February 17, 2001 in Chick Evans Field House.
| No. | Player | Pos. | Career | Height | Hometown | Votes | All-American | Player of the Year | MAC/Midwestern/IICA All-Conference | Career Points | Note |
| 33 | Kenny Battle | F | 1984-86 | 6-6 | Aurora, IL | 29 | Y | | Y | 1,072 | Jersey in College Basketball HOF |
| 24 | Jim Bradley | F/C | 1971-73 | 6-10 | East Chicago, IN | 29 | Y | | Y | 1,134 | NIU Player of the Century |
| 35 | T.J. Lux | F/C | 1995-2000 | 6-9 | Merrillville, IN | 29 | Y | | Y | 1,996 | NIU All-Time leading scorer |
| 40 | Allen Rayhorn | C | 1978-82 | 6-9 | Rock City, IL | 29 | Y | | Y | 1,848 | NIU All-Time leader in FT and FTA |
| 10 | Donald Whiteside | PG | 1987-91 | 5-10 | Chicago, IL | 28 | | | Y | 1,155 | Played in the CBA, ABA & NBA |
| 34 | Matt Hicks | F | 1974-77 | 6-4 | Aurora, IL | 27 | Y | Y | Y | 1,513 | MAC Player of the Year 1976-77 |
| 44 | Donnell Thomas | F | 1987-91 | 6-4 | Chicago, IL | 27 | | | Y | 1,853 | Lead NIU in rebounding four consecutive seasons |
| 13 | Larry Wyllie | G | 1956-59 | 6-1 | Westmont, IL | 27 | | | Y | 970 | Inducted into IBCA Hall of Fame (1987) |
| 44 | Paul Dawkins | F | 1975-79 | 6-5 | Saginaw, MI | 26 | Y | Y | Y | 1,749 | Fifth in the nation in scoring in 1979 |
| 50 | Tim Dillon | F/C | 1980-84 | 6-9 | Franklin Grove, IL | 26 | Y | | Y | 1,559 | NIU's First Academic All-American |
| 40 | Larry Gentry | F | 1956-60 | 6-4 | Clinton, IL | 26 | | | Y | 1,306 | Four-Time All-IIAC |
| 44 | Jerry Zielinski | F | 1968-72 | 6-4 | Hennepin, IL | 25 | | | Y | 1,402 | Drafted by ABA Dallas Chaparrals in April, 1972 |
| 44 | Jim Smith | C | 1967-69 | 6-7 | Des Plaines, IL | 24 | | | | 967 | First Huskie drafted by the NBA (Lakers) |
| 12 | Billy Harris | G | 1969-73 | 6-2 | Chicago, IL | 24 | Y | | | 1,331 | Titled: "The Best Playground Baller Ever" |
| 10 | George Bork | G | 1960-63 | 6-1 | Mt. Prospect, IL | 23 | Y | | Y | 1,114 | First NIU football-basketball All-America pick. |
| 12 | Willie Hanson | G | 1963-67 | 5-10 | Mendota, IL | 23 | | | Y | 1,063 | Best Free Throw Shooter in NIU History |
| 32 | Rodney Davis | G | 1984-88 | 6-3 | Aurora, IL | 22 | | | Y | 1,175 | Called "complete package" by Northern Illinois Hall of Fame coach John McDougal. |
| NA | Reino Nori | F | 1932-36 | 5-6 | DeKalb, IL | 22 | | | Y | NA | Greatest NIU athlete during school's first 50 years. |
| 52 | Abe Booker | C | 1958-61 | 6-5 | Chicago, IL | 21 | | | | 595 | Set NIU single-game (32) and season (331) rebound records |
| NA | Tuck Huntzicker | F | 1925-28 | 5-10 | DeKalb, IL | 21 | | | | NA | Two-time team Captain |
| 21 | John Olson | F | 1953-57 | 6-3 | Chicago, IL | 21 | | | Y | 1,192 | First NIU player to reach 1,000-point career points |
| 32 | Bill Terwilliger | F | 1938-41 | 6-2 | DeKalb, IL | 21 | | | | NA | Dubbed "Fastest Man on Campus" |
| 21 | Bobby Wood | G/F | 1945-49 | 5-11 | Rockford, IL | 21 | | | | 983 | First NIU cager to play in the NBA. |
| NA | Charles "Wix" Garner | F | 1916-21 | 5-9 | DeKalb, IL | 20 | | | Y | NA | Two-sport All-IIAC Athlete |
| NA | Leland Strombom | G | 1927-31 | 6-0 | Sycamore, IL | 20 | | | Y | NA | Namesake of long-running Sycamore High School boys' basketball holiday tournament. |
| NA | Wes Concidine | F | 1925-28 | 6-1 | DeKalb, IL | 19 | | | | NA | Earned 11 varsity letters in three sports |
| NA | Jim McKinzie | G | 1950-53 | 6-0 | DeKalb, IL | 17 | | | Y | 579 | Inducted into IBCA HOF in 2004 |
| NA | John "Red" Pace | F | 1929-33 | 6-3 | Woodstock, IL | 17 | | | Y | NA | NBA official (1949-52) and NFL referee and crew chief (1953-70) |
| 25 | Dick Williams | F/C | 1944-49 | 6-0 | Kirkland, IL | 17 | | Y | Y | NA | Competed in two collegiate spring sports literally at same time (baseball/track). |
| NA | Clarence "Boots" Cannon | G | 1916-21 | 5-9 | Shabonna Grove, IL | 16 | | | | NA | Lettered in football, basketball, and baseball |
| 25 | Chris Coleman | G/F | 1994-97 | 6-3 | Buffalo Grove, IL | 16 | | | Y | 1,080 | MCC Tournament Most Valuable Player (1996) |
| 34 | Brad Waller | G/F | 1982-85 | 6-4 | Lombard, IL | 16 | | | Y | 787 | IBCA Hall-of-Fame (1991) |
| NA | Benny Westlake | F | 1931-35 | 6-1 | Elburn, IL | 16 | | | Y | NA | Mr. Northern Illinois Basketball in 1930s |
| NA | Roy "Flip" Allen | G/F | 1935-39 | 6-0 | Mount Morris, IL | 15 | | | Y | NA | Nicknamed "Flip" for his radical one-handed basketball jump shot |
| 24 | Harry Henigan | G | 1942-49 | 5-11 | Sycamore, IL | 15 | | | Y | NA | Known as "Harry The Horse" to Northern Illinois fans |
| 16 | Ollie Krahenbuhl | G | 1939-42 | 5-7 | Rochelle, IL | 15 | | | Y | NA | Described by George "Chick" Evans as "...the greatest punter I ever saw." |

## Season-by-season records

Statistics overview :
| Season | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason |
| John Keith (Independent) (1900–1902) ||||||
| 1900–01 | John Keith | 0–2 | | | |
| 1901–02 | John Keith | 6–2 | | | |
| John Keith: | John Keith: | 6–4 | | | |
| Fred Charles (Independent) (1902–1903) ||||||
| 1902–03 | Fred Charles | 2–1 | | | |
| Fred Charles: | Fred Charles: | 2–1 | | | |
| William Crocker (Independent) (1903–1904) ||||||
| 1903–04 | William Crocker | 3–7 | | | |
| William Crocker: | William Crocker: | 3–7 | | | |
| John Keith (Independent) (1904–1905) ||||||
| 1904–05 | John Keith | 7–3 | | | |
| John Keith: | John Keith: | 13–7 | | | |
| Harry Sauthoff (Independent) (1905–1906) ||||||
| 1905–06 | Harry Sauthoff | 7–2 | | | |
| Harry Sauthoff: | Harry Sauthoff: | 7–2 | | | |
| Nelson A. Kellogg (Independent) (1906–1910) ||||||
| 1906–07 | Nelson A. Kellogg | 2–6 | | | |
| 1907–08 | Nelson A. Kellogg | 7–6 | | | |
| 1908–09 | Nelson A. Kellogg | 5–5 | | | |
| 1909–10 | Nelson A. Kellogg | 3–10 | | | |
| Nelson A. Kellogg: | Nelson A. Kellogg: | 17–27 | | | |
| William Wirtz (Independent) (1910–1918) ||||||
| 1910–11 | William Wirtz | 4–5 | | | |
| 1911–12 | William Wirtz | 6–4 | | | |
| 1912–13 | William Wirtz | 12–3 | | | |
| 1913–14 | William Wirtz | 9–4 | | | |
| 1914–15 | William Wirtz | 6–6 | | | |
| 1915–16 | William Wirtz | 7–3 | | | |
| 1916–17 | William Wirtz | 5–4 | | | |
| 1917–18 | William Wirtz | 8–2 | | | |
| William Wirtz: | William Wirtz: | 57–31 | | | |
| Ralph Wagner (Independent) (1918–1920) ||||||
| 1918–19 | Ralph Wagner | 2–3 | | | |
| 1919–20 | Ralph Wagner | 11–7 | | | |
| Ralph Wagner: | Ralph Wagner: | 13–10 | | | |
| Milo Oakland (IIAC) (1920–1923) ||||||
| 1920–21 | Milo Oakland | 13–4 | 2-2 | | |
| 1921–22 | Milo Oakland | 6–6 | 4-3 | | |
| 1922–23 | Milo Oakland | 6–8 | 5-6 | | |
| Milo Oakland: | Milo Oakland: | 25–18 | 11-11 | | |
| William Muir (IIAC) (1923–1926) ||||||
| 1923–24 | William Muir | 6–5 | 2-4 | | |
| 1924–25 | William Muir | 13–4 | 2-2 | | |
| 1925–26 | William Muir | 15–2 | 2-0 | | |
| William Muir: | William Muir: | 34–11 | 6-6 | | |
| Roland Cowell (IIAC) (1926–1929) ||||||
| 1926–27 | Roland Cowell | 18–1 | | | |
| 1927–28 | Roland Cowell | 12–4 | 5-2 | | |
| 1928–29 | Roland Cowell | 10–9 | 5-6 | | |
| Roland Cowell: | Roland Cowell: | 40–14 | 10-8 | | |
| Chick Evans (IIAC) (1929–1940) ||||||
| 1929–30 | Chick Evans | 11–6 | 7-4 | | |
| 1930–31 | Chick Evans | 8–8 | 4-7 | | |
| 1931–32 | Chick Evans | 13–6 | 7-5 | | |
| 1932–33 | Chick Evans | 15–3 | 12-1 | 1st | |
| 1933–34 | Chick Evans | 16–2 | 12-2 | 1st | |
| 1934–35 | Chick Evans | 12–9 | 8-6 | 1st | |
| 1935–36 | Chick Evans | 4–19 | 3-11 | | |
| 1936–37 | Chick Evans | 12–9 | 7-7 | | |
| 1937–38 | Chick Evans | 10–13 | 5-7 | | |
| 1938–39 | Chick Evans | 12–6 | 8-3 | | |
| 1939–40 | Chick Evans | 12–12 | 6-6 | | |
| Chick Evans: | Chick Evans: | 125–93 | 79-59 | | |
| Ralph McKinzie (IIAC) (1940–1948) ||||||
| 1940–41 | Ralph McKinzie | 16–3 | 7-2 | 1st | |
| 1941–42 | Ralph McKinzie | 11–9 | 3-4 | | |
| 1942–43 | Ralph McKinzie | 9–8 | 4-4 | | |
| 1943–44 | Ralph McKinzie | 7–7 | 3-4 | | |
| 1944–45 | Ralph McKinzie | 15–1 | 7-1 | 1st | |
| 1945–46 | Ralph McKinzie | 11–8 | 4-4 | | |
| 1946–47 | Ralph McKinzie | 11–8 | 3-5 | | |
| 1947–48 | Ralph McKinzie | 14–12 | 3-5 | | |
| Ralph McKinzie: | Ralph McKinzie: | 94–56 | 34-29 | | |
| Gene Fekete (IIAC) (1948–1949) ||||||
| 1948–49 | Gene Fekete | 10–11 | 2-6 | | |
| Gene Fekete: | Gene Fekete: | 10-11 | 2-6 | | |
| Gilbert Wilson (IIAC) (1949–1950) ||||||
| 1949–50 | Gilbert Wilson | 4–17 | 0-8 | 5th | |
| Gilbert Wilson: | Gilbert Wilson: | 4-17 | 0-8 | | |
| Gilman Hertz (IIAC) (1950–1954) ||||||
| 1950–51 | Gilman Hertz | 12–7 | 8-4 | T-2nd | |
| 1951–52 | Gilman Hertz | 5–16 | 1-11 | 6th | |
| 1952–53 | Gilman Hertz | 13–7 | 6-6 | 4th | |
| 1953–54 | Gilman Hertz | 5–14 | 2-10 | | |
| Gilman Hertz: | Gilman Hertz: | 35-44 | 17-31 | | |
| William Healey (IIAC) (1954–1963) ||||||
| 1954–55 | William Healey | 9–11 | 4-8 | T-6th | |
| 1955–56 | William Healey | 5–14 | 3-9 | 6th | |
| 1956–57 | William Healey | 7–13 | 6-6 | T-2nd | |
| 1957–58 | William Healey | 10–12 | 6-6 | | |
| 1958–59 | William Healey | 11–11 | 4-8 | | |
| 1959–60 | William Healey | 14–7 | 7-5 | T-3rd | |
| 1960–61 | William Healey | 14–8 | 7-5 | T-3rd | |
| 1961–62 | William Healey | 11–10 | 4-8 | T-5th | |
| 1962–63 | William Healey | 15–8 | 4-4 | T-2nd | |
| William Healey: | William Healey: | 96-94 | 45-59 | | |
| Ev Cochrane (IIAC) (1963–1966) ||||||
| 1963–64 | Ev Cochrane | 11–11 | 5-3 | 2nd | |
| 1964–65 | Ev Cochrane | 12–10 | 5-3 | T-2nd | |
| 1965–66 | Ev Cochrane | 10–13 | 4-4 | 4th | |
| Ev Cochrane: | Ev Cochrane: | 33-34 | 14-10 | | |
| Tom Jorgensen (Independent) (1966–1970) ||||||
| 1966–67 | Tom Jorgensen | 8–12 | | | |
| 1967–68 | Tom Jorgensen | 10–14 | | | |
| 1968–69 | Tom Jorgensen | 13–11 | | | |
| 1969–70 | Tom Jorgensen | 13–12 | | | |
| Tom Jorgensen (Midwestern Conference) (1970–1972) ||||||
| 1970–71 | Tom Jorgensen | 13–10 | 4–4 | 3rd | |
| 1971–72 | Tom Jorgensen | 21–4 | 7–1 | 1st | |
| Tom Jorgensen (Independent) (1973–1973) ||||||
| 1972–73 | Tom Jorgensen | 17–8 | | | |
| Tom Jorgensen: | Tom Jorgensen: | 95–71 | 11-5 | | |
| Emory Luck (Independent) (1973–1975) ||||||
| 1973–74 | Emory Luck | 8–17 | | | |
| 1974–75 | Emory Luck | 8–15 | | | |
| Emory Luck (MAC) (1975–1976) ||||||
| 1975–76 | Emory Luck | 5–21 | 2–14 | 9th | |
| Emory Luck: | Emory Luck: | 21–53 | 2-14 | | |
| John McDougal (MAC) (1976–1986) ||||||
| 1976–77 | John McDougal | 13–14 | 10–6 | 4th | |
| 1977–78 | John McDougal | 11–16 | 9–7 | 5th | |
| 1978–79 | John McDougal | 14–13 | 8–8 | 5th | |
| 1979–80 | John McDougal | 16–13 | 9–7 | 3rd | |
| 1980–81 | John McDougal | 17–12 | 10–6 | T–1st | |
| 1981–82 | John McDougal | 16–14 | 9–7 | 3rd | NCAA Round of 48 |
| 1982–83 | John McDougal | 11–16 | 8–10 | T-5th | |
| 1983–84 | John McDougal | 12–15 | 9–9 | 5th | |
| 1984–85 | John McDougal | 11–16 | 7–11 | T–7th | |
| 1985–86 | John McDougal | 15–12 | 10–8 | 4th | |
| John McDougal: | John McDougal: | 136–141 | 89-79 | | |
| Jim Rosborough (Independent) (1986–1989) ||||||
| 1986–87 | Jim Rosborough | 9–19 | | | |
| 1987–88 | Jim Rosborough | 8–20 | | | |
| 1988–89 | Jim Rosborough | 11–17 | | | |
| Jim Rosborough: | Jim Rosborough: | 28–56 | | | |
| Jim Molinari (Independent) (1989–1990) ||||||
| 1989–90 | Jim Molinari | 17–11 | | | |
| Jim Molinari (Mid-Con) (1990–1991) ||||||
| 1990–91 | Jim Molinari | 25–6 | 14–2 | 1st | NCAA Round of 64 |
| Jim Molinari: | Jim Molinari: | 42–17 | 14-2 | | |
| Brian Hammel (Mid-Con) (1991–1994) ||||||
| 1991–92 | Brian Hammel | 11–17 | 7–9 | T–6th | |
| 1992–93 | Brian Hammel | 15–12 | 10–6 | T–2nd | |
| 1993–94 | Brian Hammel | 10–17 | 7–11 | T–6th | |
| Brian Hammel (MCC) (1994–1997) ||||||
| 1994–95 | Brian Hammel | 19–10 | 7–8 | 7th | |
| 1995–96 | Brian Hammel | 20–10 | 10–6 | 3rd | NCAA Round of 64 |
| 1996–97 | Brian Hammel | 12–15 | 6–10 | T–6th | |
| Brian Hammel (MAC) (1997–2000) ||||||
| 1997–98 | Brian Hammel | 10–16 | 6–12 | 5th (West) | |
| 1998–99 | Brian Hammel | 6–20 | 2–16 | 6th (West) | |
| 1999–00 | Brian Hammel | 13–15 | 7–11 | 4th (West) | |
| 2000–01 | Brian Hammel | 1–6 | 0–0 | | |
| Brian Hammel: | Brian Hammel: | 117–138 | 62-89 | | |
| Andy Greer (MAC) (2000–2001) ||||||
| 2000–01 | Andy Greer | 4–17 | 4–14 | 5th (West) | |
| Andy Greer: | Andy Greer: | 4–17 | 4–14 | | |
| Rob Judson (MAC) (2001–2007) ||||||
| 2001–02 | Rob Judson | 12–16 | 8–10 | 4th (West) | |
| 2002–03 | Rob Judson | 17–14 | 11–7 | 2nd (West) | |
| 2003–04 | Rob Judson | 10–20 | 5–13 | 6th (West) | |
| 2004–05 | Rob Judson | 11–17 | 7–11 | 5th (West) | |
| 2005–06 | Rob Judson | 17–11 | 12–6 | 1st (West) | |
| 2006–07 | Rob Judson | 7–23 | 4–12 | 6th (West) | |
| Rob Judson: | Rob Judson: | 74–101 | 47-59 | | |
| Ricardo Patton (MAC) (2007–2011) ||||||
| 2007–08 | Ricardo Patton | 6–22 | 3–12 | 6th (West) | |
| 2008–09 | Ricardo Patton | 10–20 | 5–11 | 5th (West) | |
| 2009–10 | Ricardo Patton | 10–20 | 6–10 | 5th (West) | |
| 2010–11 | Ricardo Patton | 9–21 | 5–11 | 4th (West) | |
| Ricardo Patton: | Ricardo Patton: | 35–83 | 19–44 | | |
| Mark Montgomery (MAC) (2011–2021) ||||||
| 2011–12 | Mark Montgomery | 5–26 | 3–13 | 6th (West) | |
| 2012–13 | Mark Montgomery | 5–25 | 3–13 | 6th (West) | |
| 2013–14 | Mark Montgomery | 15–17 | 8–10 | 4th (West) | |
| 2014–15 | Mark Montgomery | 14–16 | 8–10 | T–4th (West) | |
| 2015–16 | Mark Montgomery | 21–13 | 9–9 | T–3rd (West) | Vegas 16 Quarterfinals |
| 2016–17 | Mark Montgomery | 15–17 | 7–11 | T–4th (West) | |
| 2017–18 | Mark Montgomery | 13–19 | 6–12 | 6th (West) | |
| 2018–19 | Mark Montgomery | 17–17 | 8–10 | 4th (West) | |
| 2019–20 | Mark Montgomery | 18–13 | 11–7 | T-1st (West) | |
| Mark Montgomery: | Mark Montgomery: | 123–163 (.430) | 63–95 (.399) | | |
| 2020–21 | Lamar Chapman | 3–16 | 2–12 | | |
| Rashon Burno (MAC) (2021–present) ||||||
| 2021–22 | Rashon Burno | 9–21 | 6–14 | T-9th | |
| 2022–23 | Rashon Burno | 13–19 | 9–9 | T-6th | |
| 2023–24 | Rashon Burno | 11-20 | 5-13 | 11th | |
| Total: | Total: | 1294–1337 | | | |
| National champion   Postseason invitational champion   Conference regular season champion   Conference regular season and conference tournament champion  Division regular season champion  Division regular season and conference tournament champion  Conference tournament champion ||||||
* Source: NIU Men's Basketball Record Book

## Conference Tournament results
### MAC tournament

The Huskies have won the MAC tournament once in 1982.
| Year | Seed | Location | Round | Opponent | Result | NIU Head Coach |
| 1980 | 3rd | DeKalb, IL Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI | Quarterfinal Semifinal Consolation | (6) Miami (2) Bowling Green (5) Ball State | W 58–53 L 54–49 W 71–58 | John McDougal |
| 1981 | 5th | Bowling Green, OH Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI | Quarterfinal Semifinal Championship | (4) Bowling Green (1) Western Michigan (2) Ball State | W 79–72 W 78–73 L 79–66 | John McDougal |
| 1982 | 3rd | DeKalb, IL Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI | Quarterfinal Semifinal Championship | (6) Ohio (2) Bowling Green (1) Ball State | W 70–68 W 67–66 W 79–75 (OT) | John McDougal |
| 1984 | 5th | Rockford, IL | Quarterfinal | (4) Toledo | L 73–68 | John McDougal |
| 1986 | 4th | Rockford, IL | Quarterfinal | (5) Toledo | L 82–79 | John McDougal |
| 2000 | 10th | Toledo, OH | First round | (7) Toledo | L 68–64 | Brian Hammel |
| 2001 | 11th | Muncie, IN | First round | (6) Ball State | L 89–57 | Andy Greer |
| 2002 | 9th | Huntington, WV | First round | (8) Marshall | L 97–93 | Rob Judson |
| 2003 | 4th | DeKalb, IL Cleveland, OH Cleveland, OH | First round Quarterfinal Semifinal | (13) Buffalo (5) Western Michigan (1) Central Michigan | W 81–64 W 75–63 L 94–72 | Rob Judson |
| 2004 | 12th | Buffalo, NY | First round | (5) Buffalo | L 90–73 | Rob Judson |
| 2005 | 10th | Buffalo, NY | First round | (7) Buffalo | L 73–66 | Rob Judson |
| 2006 | 2nd | Cleveland, OH | Quarterfinal | (7) Toledo | L 78–77 | Rob Judson |
| 2007 | 11th | Cleveland, OH | First round | (6) Western Michigan | L 67–62 | Rob Judson |
| 2008 | 11th | Cleveland, OH | First round | (6) Central Michigan | L 83–71 | Ricardo Patton |
| 2009 | 11th | Cleveland, OH | First round | (6) Kent State | L 64–61 | Ricardo Patton |
| 2010 | 11th | Cleveland, OH | First round | (6) Eastern Michigan | L 65–59 | Ricardo Patton |
| 2011 | 10th | Bowling Green, OH | First round | (7) Bowling Green | L 74–54 | Ricardo Patton |
| 2012 | 12th | Ypsilanti, MI Cleveland, OH | First round Second Round | (5) Eastern Michigan (8) Western Michigan | W 52–55 L 71-54 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2013 | 10th | Ypsilanti, MI | First round | (7) Eastern Michigan | L 45–44 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2014 | 7th | DeKalb, IL Cleveland, OH | First round Second Round | (10) Bowling Green (6) Eastern Michigan | W 54–51 L 58–43 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2015 | 10th | Akron, OH | First round | (7) Akron | L 76–52 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2016 | 7th | DeKalb, IL Cleveland, OH | First round Second Round | (10) Western Michigan (2) Ohio | W 56–50 L 79–62 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2017 | 9th | Ypsilanti, MI | First round | (8) Eastern Michigan | L 72-69 | Mark Montgomery |
| 2023 | 7th | Cleveland, OH | First round | (2) Kent State | L 76-57 | Rashon Burno |
* Source: MAC Men's Basketball Tournament History

### The Summit League tournament

| Year | Seed | Location | Round | Opponent | Result | NIU Head Coach |
| 1991 | 1st | Green Bay, WI | Quarterfinal Semifinal Championship | (8) Illinois-Chicago (5) Northern Iowa (2) UW-Green Bay | W 77–52 W 76–63 (OT) L 56–39 | Jim Molinari |
| 1992 | 6th | Cleveland, OH | Quarterfinal | (3) Illinois-Chicago | L 80–66 | Brian Hammel |
| 1993 | 2nd | Dayton, OH | Quarterfinal | (7) Valparaiso | L 83–75 | Brian Hammel |
| 1994 | 7th | Rosemont, IL | Quarterfinal | (2) Illinois-Chicago | L 87–77 | Brian Hammel |
* Source: Summit League History

### Horizon League tournament

The Huskies have won the Horizon League tournament once in 1996.
| Year | Seed | Location | Round | Opponent | Result | NIU Head Coach |
| 1995 | 7th | Dayton, OH | First round Quarterfinal Semifinal | (10) Loyola (2) Illinois-Chicago (3) Green Bay | W 62–57 W 87–83 L 68–65 | Brian Hammel |
| 1996 | 3rd | Dayton, OH | Quarterfinal Semifinal Championship | (6) Milwaukee (7) Illinois-Chicago (5) Detroit | W 80–60 W 95–60 W 84–60 | Brian Hammel |
| 1997 | 6th | Dayton, OH | Quarterfinal | (3) Illinois-Chicago | L 76–65 | Brian Hammel |
* Source: Horizon League Records

## Postseason
### NCAA tournament results

The Huskies have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times. Their overall record is 0–3.
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1982 | #12 | Round of 48 | #5 Kansas State | L 77–68 |
| 1991 | #13 | Round of 64 | #4 St. John's | L 75–68 |
| 1996 | #14 | Round of 64 | #3 Texas Tech | L 74–73 |

### NCAA Division II Tournament results

The Huskies appeared in one NCAA Division II tournament. Their record is 0–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1958 | Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game | Hope St. Norbert | L 101–95 L 76–70 |

### Vegas 16 results

The Huskies appeared in one Vegas 16. Their record is 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2016 | Quarterfinals | UC Santa Barbara | L 70–63 |
* Rashon Burno – Head Coach
* Steve Christiansen – Assistant Coach
* Drew Gladstone - Assistant Coach
* Branden McDonald – Assistant Coach
* Matt Fleming – Director of Basketball Operations
* TBA – Assistant Director of Basketball Operations