DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team tips off the 2025-26 regular season on Monday night, Nov. 3, as the Huskies host ULM in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge. Game time against the Warhawks is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+ as well as WDKB 94-9 FM.
Tickets for Monday's contest are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling, 815-753-PACK (7225).
Last Tuesday (Oct. 28), the Huskies scored an 82-68 exhibition victory over Quincy.
JJ Taylor (Chicago, Ill./San Ysidro) led four Huskies in double figures with 14 points.
Makhai Valentine (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) added 12 points, on four three-point field goals, while
Gianni Cobb (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and
Daemar Kelly (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) each chipped in 11 points. Cobb also had nine assists and zero turnovers.
NIU shot 54.7 percent (29-of-53) from the field against Quincy, including 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from three-point range.
Monday's matchup is the first half of this season's MAC/Sun Belt Challenge, with all 12 MAC men's basketball teams hosting Sun Belt foes. The MAC men's teams will go on the road for the second leg of the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 7, with matchup to be determined in January. NIU is 1-3 all-time in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge.
ULM comes to DeKalb after recording a 7-25 mark a season ago, including 3-15 in Sun Belt Conference play. ULM did not participate in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge last season. Phil Cunningham begins his first season as head coach at ULM. The Warhawks were picked to finish 14th in the Sun Belt preseason coaches poll.
Monday's contest will be the first all-time meeting between NIU and ULM.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 Huskie men's basketball campaign are on sale now at NIUHuskies.com. Reserved seats are available for $120 with general admission tickets available for just $80, courtside seats and Nelson Club access are also available. For more information, contact the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or via email at huskiestickets@niu.edu.
Following Monday's season opener, the Huskies will head on the road for the next two, beginning with a trip to Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 7, followed by a visit to Grand Canyon on Monday, Nov. 10.
