DEKALB, Ill. – Five home games highlight the non-conference slate for the 2025-26 Northern Illinois University men's basketball team. NIU will play six teams that played in the postseason a year ago, including five 20-game winners, during the non-league portion of its upcoming schedule.
Following an exhibition contest against Quincy (Oct. 28), NIU opens the season at home in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge as the Huskies welcome ULM to DeKalb on Monday, Nov. 3, for the first all-time meeting between the Huskies and Warhawks.
NIU will then play back-to-back road games against Wisconsin (Fri., Nov. 7) and Grand Canyon (Mon., Nov. 10). The Badgers won 27 games a season ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round while the Antelopes won 26 games and also reached the NCAA Tournament. NIU and Wisconsin have not met since Nov. 16, 2002.
Following a home game against Benedictine on Thursday, Nov. 13, the Huskies head on the road for three-straight, traveling to Northern Iowa (Tues., Nov. 18), Loyola Chicago (Fri., Nov. 21) and Austin Peay (Tues., Nov. 25). Northern Iowa won 20 games last season and reached the NIT while Loyola won 25 games and advanced to the NIT Semifinals. This will be the first meeting between the Huskies and Ramblers since a 55-49 NIU win in Chicago on Dec. 18, 2013.
On Sunday, Nov. 29, the Huskies will host Bellarmine in the first two back-to-back home games that also sees Lindenwood visit DeKalb on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The Huskies travel to Bradley for the second consecutive year on Saturday, Dec. 6, before visiting Elon on Saturday, Dec. 13. The Braves won 28 games a season ago and reached the NIT Quarterfinals when the Phoenix collected 17 wins and appeared in the CBI.
NIU then returns home to host East/West on Tuesday, Dec. 16, before, as previously announced, hosting Central Michigan in the league opener on Saturday, Dec. 20.
The Huskies will play one more non-conference game on Saturday, Feb. 7, as they head on the road for the second leg of the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge. Matchups are expected to be announced in January.
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.
2025-26 NIU Men's Basketball Conference Schedule
Oct. 28 – Quincy (Exhibition)
Nov. 3 – ULM
Nov. 7 – at Wisconsin
Nov. 10 – at Grand Canyon
Nov. 13 – Benedictine
Nov. 18 – at Northern Iowa
Nov. 21 – at Loyola Chicago
Nov. 25 – at Austin Peay
Nov. 29 – Bellarmine
Dec. 2 – Lindenwood
Dec. 6 – at Bradley
Dec. 13 – at Elon
Dec. 16 – East/West
Dec. 20 – Central Michigan*
Dec. 30 – Buffalo*
Jan. 3 – at Kent State*
Jan. 6 – Toledo*
Jan. 13 – at Eastern Michigan*
Jan. 17 – UMass*
Jan. 20 – at Ohio*
Jan. 24 – at Ball State*
Jan. 27 – Western Michigan*
Jan. 31 – at Miami*
Feb. 7 – at MAC/Sun Belt Challenge
Feb. 11 – Bowling Green*
Feb. 14 – at Central Michigan*
Feb. 17 – at Buffalo*
Feb. 21 – Ohio*
Feb. 24 – at Toledo*
Feb. 28 – Ball State*
March 3 – Kent State*
March 6 – at Akron*
