Northern Illinois University Athletics

Winning a school record 25 games, the 1990-91 Huskie men's basketball team, led by Jim Molinari, is one of just three teams in school history to have earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Beginning with a December 4 victory over Evansville, the 1990-91 Huskies went on an 11-game win streak, tying the longest in school history. The streak also included a victory over DePaul, 70-61, on January 15 in Chick Evans Fieldhouse. After seeing its 11-game win streak snapped, the 1990-91 team won another eight consecutive games as the Huskies began the season 20-2. 

The Huskies won the Mid-Continent Conference regular season title with a 14-2 mark in league play. Following a victory over UIC in the conference quarterfinals and an overtime win against Northern Iowa in the league semifinals, the Huskies had to play Green Bay on its home floor in the conference title game. 

Despite losing in the final, the Huskies still received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, earning the No. 13 seed in the Midwest Region. In the NCAA Tournament First Round, the Huskies pushed fourth-seeded St. John's right to the final buzzer, falling 75-68. 

Donnell Thomas led the 1990-91 Huskie in scoring and rebounding with 17.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Donald Whiteside also scored in double figures at 11.7 points per game while dishing out a team-best 3.5 assists per contest; both Thomas and Whiteside were named to the All-MCC First Team and the MCC All-Tournament Team. Molinari was named the MCC Coach of the Year while Mike Lipnisky was named to the MCC All-Newcomer Team. 

Members of the 1990-91 team include: Stacy Arrington, Brian Banks, Randy Fens, Antwon Harmon, Mike Hidden, Mark Layton, Mike Lipnisky, David Mitchell, Brian Molis, Steve Oldendorf, Donnell Thomas, Andrew Wells, Donald Whiteside, head coach Jim Molinari, assistant coaches Rob Judson, DeWayne Kelly and Pat Donahue, and graduate assistant Phil Leib.