University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther men’s basketball picked second in 2025-26 MVC preseason poll
9/29/2025 3:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNI picks up eight first-place votes in preseason poll. Panthers open season with exhibition on Nov. 1.
ST. LOUIS --- The UNI men's basketball team was picked second in the 2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) preseason poll, as announced by the league office on Monday. The poll was voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Northern Iowa earned eight first-place votes with 442 total points, finishing behind preseason favorite Illinois State. Murray State was picked third with four first-place votes and 385 points, followed by Bradley (370 points) and Belmont (344 points).
The league's preseason watchlist will be released at a later date.
UNI is coming off a 20-13 season in 2024-25 where it finished 14-6 in MVC play with a third-place finish and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Panthers return 11 players from last year's roster, including 72.1% of its minutes played, most in all of NCAA Division I men's basketball. Among the key returnees are 2025 Third Team All-MVC guard Trey Campbell, Leon Bond III, Ben Schwieger, Max Weisbrod and RJ Taylor.
The Panthers also bring in six newcomers with two freshmen in Geon Hutchins and Jalen Wilson, as well as NAIA transfer Tristan Smith, Division I transfers Ismaël Diouf and Marino Dubravcic, and international signee Levi Valdo.
The Panthers are slated to tip off their 125th anniversary season with an exhibition match on Saturday, Nov. 1 at home against Upper Iowa, with the regular season beginning on Thursday, Nov. 6 inside the McLeod Center vs. Cal State Northridge.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 Panther men's basketball season can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or through email at tickets@uni.edu. Single game tickets will go on sale at a later date.
Panther fans are also encouraged to join the program at the 2025-26 Panther Basketball Tip-Off Breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cedar Falls. More information about the event can be found HERE.
2025-26 MVC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL (Top-Five)
- Illinois State [34] ….. 487
- UNI [8] …………...… 442
- Murray State [4] ...… 385
- Bradley …………….. 370
- Belmont ……………. 344
UNI men's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Men's Basketball), X (@UNImbb) and on Instagram (@uni_basketball). The full 2025-26 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
