After an impressive season where Northern Illinois was picked to be one of the worst teams in the MAC this season, the Huskies will play on in the Vegas 16. The fifth, inaugural postseason tournament was originally going to have 16 teams participate, but was reduced to eight after there weren't enough "top-quality programs" to live up to tournament organizers' demand for "quality over quantity." The tournament was also reduced from five days to three.
Posting a 21-12 record, breaking even against MAC foes, NIU had their first winning season since claiming the MAC West title 10 years ago.