2025–26 Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball team

2025–26 Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record9–21 (4–14 MAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Drew Gladstone
  • Antwon Jackson
  • Jacob Kurtz
  • Eric Rwahwire
  • Eduardo Fernandez
Home arenaConvocation Center
2025–26 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Miami (OH) 18 – 0   1.000 32 – 2   .941
Akron † 17 – 1   .944 29 – 6   .829
Kent State 14 – 4   .778 24 – 10   .706
Toledo 11 – 7   .611 19 – 15   .559
Bowling Green 9 – 9   .500 18 – 14   .563
Ohio 9 – 9   .500 15 – 17   .469
Buffalo 7 – 11   .389 17 – 15   .531
UMass 7 – 11   .389 17 – 16   .515
Ball State 7 – 11   .389 12 – 19   .387
Central Michigan 6 – 12   .333 10 – 21   .323
Western Michigan 4 – 14   .222 10 – 21   .323
Northern Illinois 4 – 14   .222 9 – 21   .300
Eastern Michigan 4 – 14   .222 10 – 21   .323
† 2026 MAC tournament winner

The 2025–26 Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball team represented Northern Illinois University during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Huskies, led by fifth-year head coach Rashon Burno, played their home games at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

On March 8, 2026, the school announced it had parted ways with head coach Rashon Burno.[1] They finished the 2025–26 season 9–21, 4–14 in MAC play, to finish in a three way tie for last place.[2] They failed to qualify for the MAC tournament.

Previous season

The Huskies finished the 2024–25 season 6–25, 2–16 in MAC play, to finish in last place.[3] They failed to qualify for the MAC tournament.[4]

Offseason

Departures

Departures
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for departure
Dominic Gooden 0 G 6' 5" 180 Junior Cleveland, OH Transferred to Minnesota State–Moorhead[5]
Quentin Jones 1 G 6' 5" 180 Sophomore Chicago, IL Transferred to Saint Louis[6]
Tsvet Sotirov 2 F 6' 9" 210 RS Freshman Rolling Meadows, IL Transferred to Georgia Southern[7]
Joe Munden Jr. 3 G 6' 4" 199 Graduate Student Harlem, NY Graduated
Oluwasegun Durosinmi 4 F 6' 9" 243 Senior Lagos, Nigeria Graduated
Kailon Nicholls 5 G 6' 0" 160 Sophomore Toronto, ON Transferred to Angelo State[8]
Nasir Muhammad 7 G 6' 2" 186 Sophomore Brooklyn, NY Transferred to Albany[9]
Jayden Mott 11 F 6' 8" 210 Freshman Midwest City, OK Transferred to Central Connecticut[10]
Peyton Ackerman 12 G 5' 10" 150 RS Sophomore Oklahoma City, OK Transferred to Oklahoma City
James Dent Jr. 14 G 6' 5" 170 Senior Springfield, IL Transferred to Middle Tennessee[11]
Ethan Butler 15 F 6' 7" 220 Junior Toronto, ON Transferred to Charlotte[12]
Leo Amari IV 20 G 6' 2" 170 Sophomore Sherman Oaks, CA Transferred to Evansville
David Mack 21 G 5' 10" 160 Freshman Los Angeles, CA Transferred to Cerritos
Steven Tipton 22 G 6' 2" 183 Junior Brookfield, WI Transferred to Western Illinois
Mo Sall 23 G 6' 5" 185 Junior Downers Grove, IL Transferred to Roosevelt
Quaran McPherson 24 G 6' 4" 197 RS Junior South Jamaica, NY Transferred to UAB[6]

Incoming transfers

Incoming transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous school
Gianni Cobb 0 G 6' 0" 150 Sophomore Chicago, IL Columbia
Makhai Valentine 1 G 6' 3" 190 Sophomore Munhall, PA Missouri State
Daemar Kelly 3 G 6' 5" 195 Junior Pittsburgh, PA St. Francis (PA)
JJ Taylor 4 F 6' 8" 196 Junior Chicago, IL Central Florida
Hassan 'Tre' Washington 7 F 6' 8" 240 Junior Providence, RI Monroe University
Jao Ituka 10 G 6' 1" 196 Junior Gaithersburg, MD Jacksonville State
Isaiah Washington 11 G 6' 5" 185 RS Freshman Fayetteville, NC UNC Greensboro
Lataevyon Taylor 15 G 6' 0" 160 Sophomore Chicago, IL Western Oklahoma State
Jaylen Wharton 23 F 6' 9" 200 RS Junior Plant City, FL South Florida

Preseason

On October 21, 2025 the MAC released the preseason coaches poll. Northern Illinois was picked to finish last in the MAC regular season.[13]

Preseason rankings

MAC preseason poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Akron 143 (11)
2 Miami (OH) 133 (2)
3 Kent State 122
4 Ohio 108
5 UMass 98
6 Toledo 95
7 Bowling Green 73
8 Ball State 62
9 Eastern Michigan 52
10 Western Michigan 46
11 Buffalo 37
12 Central Michigan 31
13 Northern Illinois 14

MAC Tournament Champions: Akron (8), Miami (2), Kent State (1), Ohio (1), UMass (1) [13]

Roster

2025–26 Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Gianni Cobb 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 150 lb (68 kg) So Columbia Chicago, IL
G 1 Makhai Valentine 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) So Missouri State Munhall, PA
G 2 Carlos Coronado 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Fr Supreme Academy Coolidge, AZ
G 3 Daemar Kelly 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Saint Francis (PA) Pittsburgh, PA
F 4 JJ Taylor 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Jr Central Florida Chicago, IL
G 6 Taj Walters 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr Moravian Prep Bronx, NY
F 7 Hassan 'Tre' Washington 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Jr Monroe University Providence, RI
F 8 Ladji Kante 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fr – Marseille, France
G 10 Jao Ituka 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Jr Jacksonville State Gaithersburg, MD
G 11 Isaiah Washington 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) RS Fr UNC Greensboro Fayetteville, NC
G 15 Lataevyon Taylor 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) So Western Oklahoma Chicago, IL
G/F 16 Isaiah Stewart 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fr Big Tyme Prep Rockwall, TX
G 21 Max Laskey 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Fr IMG Academy Birmingham, MI
F 23 Jaylen Wharton 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) RS Jr South Florida Plant City, FL
G 25 Dylan Ducommun 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fr – Geneva, Switzerland
F 96 Gustav Winther 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Fr – Roskilde, Denmark
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: November 29, 2025

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 28, 2025*
7:00 p.m. 		Quincy W 82–68  –
  14 – JJ Taylor   5 – Tied   9 – Cobb  Convocation Center (691)
Dekalb, IL
Regular season
November 3, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Louisiana–Monroe
MAC-SBC Challenge 		W 102–82  1–0
  19 – Ituka   10 – Winther   10 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,071)
Dekalb, IL
November 7, 2025*
7:30 p.m., BTN 		at No. 24 Wisconsin L 72–97  1–1
  17 – JJ Taylor   5 – Ituka   3 – Cobb  Kohl Center (15,222)
Madison, WI
November 10, 2025*
8:00 p.m., MW Network 		at Grand Canyon L 59–88  1–2
  12 – Kelly   4 – Valentine   3 – Kelly  Global Credit Union Arena (7,008)
Phoenix, AZ
November 13, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Benedictine W 117–62  2–2
  18 – Kelly   7 – Valentine   5 – Cobb  Convocation Center (876)
DeKalb, IL
November 18, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Northern Iowa
Acrisure Series on-campus game 		L 57–70  2–3
  12 – Ducommun   5 – Valentine   7 – Ducommun  McLeod Center (3,283)
Cedar Falls, IA
November 21, 2025*
7:00 p.m., Marquee 		at Loyola Chicago
Acrisure Series on-campus game 		W 76–59  3–3
  24 – Ducommun   10 – Walters   6 – Ducommun  Joseph J. Gentile Arena (2,862)
Chicago, IL
November 25, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Austin Peay
Acrisure Series on-campus game 		L 59–77  3–4
  12 – Cobb   4 – Kelly   2 – Cobb  F&M Bank Arena (1,833)
Clarksville, TN
December 2, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Lindenwood L 64–99  3–5
  17 – Valentine   5 – Cobb   4 – Ducommun  Convocation Center (824)
DeKalb, IL
December 6, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Bradley L 55–84  3–6
  17 – Ducommun   8 – Winther   3 – Cobb  Carver Arena (5,750)
Peoria, IL
December 13, 2025*
12:00 p.m., FloCollege 		at Elon L 79–85  3–7
  17 – Valentine   10 – Valentine   5 – Kelly  Schar Center (1,092)
Elon, NC
December 16, 2025*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		East-West W 112–64  4–7
  18 – Ituka   8 – Tied   10 – Cobb  Convocation Center (761)
DeKalb, IL
December 20, 2025
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Central Michigan W 74–73  5–7
(1–0) 		 18 – Ducommun   11 – Winther   4 – Tied  Convocation Center (1,311)
DeKalb, IL
December 31, 2025
12:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Buffalo L 67–81  5–8
(1–1) 		 19 – Ducommun   6 – Valentine   4 – Ducommun  Convocation Center (1,006)
DeKalb, IL
January 3, 2026
12:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Kent State L 73–77  5–9
(1–2) 		 27 – Valetine   11 – Walters   4 – Ducommun  MAC Center (2,081)
Kent, OH
January 6, 2026
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Toledo L 61–75  5–10
(1–3) 		 17 – Ducommun   13 – Walters   3 – Tied  Convocation Center (864)
DeKalb, IL
January 13, 2026
5:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Eastern Michigan L 59–77  5–11
(1–4) 		 20 – Valentine   10 – Walters   7 – Cobb  George Gervin GameAbove Center (1,749)
Ypsilanti, MI
January 17, 2026
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		UMass W 70–68  6–11
(2–4) 		 27 – Valentine   8 – Walters   6 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,535)
DeKalb, IL
January 20, 2026
6:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Ohio L 77–80  6–12
(2–5) 		 23 – Ducommun   6 – Tied   3 – Kelly  Convocation Center (2,867)
Athens, OH
January 24, 2026
1:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Ball State L 53–58  6–13
(2–6) 		 11 – Cobb   7 – Walters   2 – Cobb  Worthen Arena (4,105)
Muncie, IN
January 27, 2026
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Western Michigan W 85–65  7–13
(3–6) 		 21 – Ducommun   8 – Tied   8 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,003)
DeKalb, IL
January 31, 2026
2:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		at No. 24 Miami (OH) L 61–85  7–14
(3–7) 		 17 – Tied   6 – Ducommun   3 – Kelly  Millett Hall (10,640)
Oxford, OH
February 7, 2026*
1:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Georgia State
MAC-SBC Challenge 		W 75–74  8–14
  23 – Valentine   8 – Walters   8 – Ducommun  GSU Convocation Center (1,589)
Atlanta, GA
February 11, 2026
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Bowling Green L 52–68  8–15
(3–8) 		 15 – Valentine   6 – Washington   6 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,251)
DeKalb, IL
February 14, 2026
4:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Central Michigan L 46–88  8–16
(3–9) 		 13 – Valentine   6 – Tied   3 – Cobb  McGuirk Arena (1,662)
Mount Pleasant, MI
February 17, 2026
5:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Buffalo W 72–70  9–16
(4–9) 		 23 – Cobb   8 – Walters   10 – Ducommun  Alumni Arena (1,802)
Amherst, NY
February 21, 2026
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Ohio L 66–74  9–17
(4–10) 		 15 – Valentine   8 – Walters   6 – Ducommun  Convocation Center (1,245)
DeKalb, IL
February 24, 2026
6:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Toledo L 69–79  9–18
(4–11) 		 17 – Tied   7 – Washington   5 – Cobb  Savage Arena (4,531)
Toledo, OH
February 28, 2026
3:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Ball State L 43–79  9–19
(4–12) 		 9 – Kelly   5 – Washington   3 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,887)
DeKalb, IL
March 3, 2026
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Kent State L 76–102  9–20
(4–13) 		 17 – Tied   6 – Tied   4 – Cobb  Convocation Center (1,040)
DeKalb, IL
March 6, 2026
5:00 p.m., CBSSN 		at Akron L 55–94  9–21
(4–14) 		 14 – Tied   5 – Walters   2 – Ducommun  James A. Rhodes Arena (2,768)
Akron, OH
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.

Sources:[15][16]

References

  1. ^ Kwiecinski, Chris (March 8, 2026). "NIU parts ways with basketball coach Rashon Burno: Here are potential candidates". FOX 32 Chicago. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  2. ^ "2025-26 Men's Basketball Standings". ESPN. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  3. ^ "2024-25 Men's Basketball Standings". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  4. ^ Fenbers, Robert (March 12, 2025). "Mid-American Conference basketball tournament 2025 schedule, results, TV, ticket info". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  5. ^ Eric, Peterson (May 19, 2025). "Dragons men add 3rd D-I transfer, a former junior college scoring ace". InForum. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "2025 Northern Illinois Basketball Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved November 30, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ "Men's Basketball Signs Transfer Forward Tsvet Sotirov". Georgia Southern University Athletics. May 6, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Harris, Paul (August 22, 2025). "Angelo State Rams Add 5 More Players to Signing Class". sanangelolive.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  9. ^ Shinder, Adam (April 16, 2025). "Northern Illinois transfer Nasir Muhammad commits to UAlbany". Times Union. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Gullo, Rob (May 22, 2025). "CCSU Men's basketball adds Northern Illinois transfer Mott". New Britain Herald. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "MTSU Men's Basketball signs guard James Dent Jr". Shelbyville Times-Gazette. July 10, 2025. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  12. ^ CStandard (May 8, 2025). "Ethan Butler Is A Veteran Voice Who Can Make An Impact For Charlotte Men's Basketball". Collegiate Standard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "MAC Announces 2025-26 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll & Teams". Mid-American Conference. October 21, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  14. ^ "Men's Basketball Game vs. Bellarmine Canceled". NIU Athletics. November 27, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  15. ^ "2025-26 Men's Basketball Schedule". NIU Athletics. Archived from the original on November 30, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  16. ^ "Northern Illinois Huskies Schedule 2025-26". ESPN. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
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