By Woodrow Carroll
Despite a bad loss to end the regular-season, the Northern Illinois University men’s basketball team still finished strong.
The team ended 11-7 in Mid-American Conference West Division. Prior to 2019-2020, the last time the Huskies ended on the plus side of .500 in Conference was the 2005-2006 season when Northern Illinois was 12-6 in the MAC and in first place in the West Division.
Playing host first to Toledo then Ball State at the Convocation Center last week, Northern Illinois scaled the heights then fell with a thud.
The Huskies defeated visiting Toledo with ease, 71-50. Friday, with an outright West Division championship within reach, Northern Illinois lost to Ball State, 75-54.
The loss to Ball State left the two teams tied for first place in the MAC West.
Ball State earned the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament this week because two victories over Northern Illinois this season. Seeded No. 4 in the MAC Tournament, the Huskies still moved directly to quarterfinal play. Although Northern Illinois has made it to the quarterfinals in recent seasons, it marks the first time since 2005-2006 it avoided a first round game, thanks to a top four finish.
The Huskies will play Miami, Ohio, in a quarterfinal game Thursday, March 12 in Cleveland. No. 12 Miami surprised host and No. 5 Buffalo, 85-79, Monday in the first round. The Miami-Northern Illinois game was set to tip off at 1:30 p.m. The winner will face either Ohio University or top-seeded Akron in a semifinal Friday.
• The Bradley University Braves assured themselves a berth in the NCAA tournament by winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship Sunday.
Favorites Northern Iowa and Loyola were ousted early. Bradley, 23-10, the No. 4 seed, defeated No. 7 Valparaiso, 19-16, in the championship game.
It’s a repeat performance for Bradley. The Braves won the MVC Tournament last season. In the NCAA Tournament. Bradley pressed Michigan State, before falling 76-65.
The 23 victories by this season’s Bradley side is the most since the 1993-1994 Braves ended up 23-8. Head coach at Bradley in 1993-1994 was Jim Molinari.
In 1990-1991, while head coach at Northern Illinois, Molinari saw his charges end 25-6. The 25 victories was the season best for Northern Illinois.
• Illinois, 21-10, bounced back from a loss to Ohio State, 71-62, last week to edge Iowa, 78-76, in Champaign Sunday. The victory over the Hawkeyes left the Illini the No. 4 seed in this week’s Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.