MAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

Northern Illinois are looking to accomplish more of what they did last year in obtaining a share of the West division crown. The Huskies went 18-13 overall and an 11-7 finish in conference play and got that share of first place in the division for the first time since 2006. Things would be looking up, but I have them so far down on this list given two reasons.

One, Northern Illinois finished 11th in the MAC in points per game and two, they lose their top two scorers, including Eugene German, who led the conference in points per game and was the only player to average over 20 points last season (20.5 ppg).

Defensively, the Huskies were very solid, finishing in the top three in points allowed. If they can keep that pace, it will win them some games this upcoming season and likely keep them in games late. That’s not to say Northern Illinois will struggle, but their reliance on someone stepping upon the scoring end and big plays late in game will likely be key to their success.

That being said, here are a couple of key players for the Huskies:

• Trendon Hankerson – Hankerson is the leading returning scorer for the Huskies and will need to up his average from 7.5 points per game into double figures if Northern Illinois will have the success they did last year.
• Tyler Cochran – Cochran is a player that may start, or be one of the first off the bench. He played more down the stretch of last season, and can make a difference on the offensive end of the floor. He is only 6’2″, but at 220 pounds, he can guard multiple positions, and rebound the ball well. Last season he averaged 5.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg.

Northern Illinois will likely be looking up this season at others in the conference. Don’t count them out, because anything can happen, which is why we love college hoops. But with the losses of Eugene German and Lacey James, it will be a difficult season for head coach Mark Montgomery and his crew.