Northern Illinois Huskies vs UL Monroe Warhawks Picks and Prediction for Monday, November 3, 2025

By: Kevin V. Published 11/03/2025, 11:10 AM ET
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The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks visit DeKalb, Illinois, on Monday to play the Northern Illinois Huskies in the opening game of the college basketball regular season for both teams and in the MAC-SBC Challenge. Last season, Louisiana-Monroe finished 7-25 overall and 3-15 in Sun Belt Conference play. Northern Illinois was 6-25 overall and 2-16 in the Mid-American Conference. Neither team reports any injuries. Make sure to read this in-depth Northern Illinois Huskies vs Louisiana Monroe Warhawks prediction. Elevate your game with our expert NCAAB picks for UL Monroe Warhawks vs. Northern Illinois Huskies prediction and win big!

Just three players who saw action return from last year’s roster

The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks averaged 68.9 points per game last season, while allowing an average of 75.5 points per game. Simply put, the Warhawks struggled the entire season. The top returnees from last season are forward Renar Sondors, Guard Micah Caster, and Guard Ajay Tew. Sondors scored an average of 5.8 points per game and grabbed an average of 3.8 rebounds. Micah Caster, in just 22 games, averaged 3.4 points per game. Tew did not play last season but was on the roster.

Louisiana-Monroe added transfers and freshmen during the offseason. The top three incoming players are Lavell Brodnex, MJ Russell, and Brentay Noel. Brodnex has played for Wagner and, while there, averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Russell played last season with Mississippi State, averaging 2.1 points per game in just 11 games. Noel played in all 32 games last season for Southern, averaging 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Northern Illinois will struggle to compete in the MAC

The Northern Illinois Huskies scored an average of 70.9 points per game last season, shooting just 41% overall and 33.4% from three-point territory. The new roster is almost entirely new due to players leaving through the transfer portal and graduation, and has no returning players who averaged double figures in scoring last season.

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Northern Illinois has several transfers and freshmen on the roster in 2025-26. The top three transfers joining the Huskies this season are JJ Taylor, Jao Ituka, and Daemar Kelly. Taylor is a junior forward who played last season for UCF, averaging 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Ituka is a guard who played for Jacksonville State and averaged 8.7 points per game. Kelly is a guard who played for St. Francis (PA) and averaged 8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. UL Monroe Warhawks Pick

Spread Pick for Northern Illinois vs. UL Monroe

  • Northern Illinois Huskies (4 units)

Both teams have several new faces on the roster, and this matchup will be determined by which of the two teams has been able to gel quickly as a unit with new players. Northern Illinois has a big advantage playing at home, and although the Huskies did not play well last season, they have the home crowd behind them. Expect a low-scoring game with poor shooting and solid defense dominating play. Northern Illinois’ revamped roster, led by transfers JJ Taylor and Jao Ituka, should have an immediate impact against a rebuilding Louisiana-Monroe team. The Warhawks return little scoring from last season’s 7-25 squad and may struggle to match NIU’s athleticism and new roster depth. Expect the Huskies to push the tempo and control the glass at home.

Over/Under Pick for Northern Illinois vs. UL Monroe

  • Under (4 units)

Both teams lack any big scoring threats, and last season did not score or shoot well. Look for much of the same on opening night, as both will struggle offensively, while the defense for both teams will dictate the pace. Shooting percentages for both were low last season, and with plenty of new faces on each roster, shooting is likely to be below average on opening night.

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