The University of Northern Iowa competes in the Missouri Valley Conference and has been one of the most successful mid-major programs in the country. The Panthers have made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and are known for pulling off major upsets.
The Panthers mascot was adopted in 1931, replacing "Tutors" and then "Teachers" as the school transitioned from a teachers' college to a university.
Ali Farokhmanesh's dagger three-pointer to upset #1 seed Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament second round, one of the most iconic shots in March Madness history.
UNI's McLeod Center is one of the loudest venues in the Missouri Valley Conference, and the Panthers have historically been one of the toughest home teams in mid-major basketball.
The Northern Iowa Panthers compete in the MVC and hold an all-time record of 752–654 (.535 winning percentage) across 46 recorded seasons dating back to 1980-81.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 23-12 | 11-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2024-25 | 20-13 | 14-6 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2023-24 | 19-14 | 12-8 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2022-23 | 14-18 | 9-11 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2021-22 | 20-12 | 14-4 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2020-21 | 10-15 | 7-11 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2019-20 | 25-6 | 14-4 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2018-19 | 16-18 | 9-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2017-18 | 16-16 | 7-11 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2016-17 | 14-16 | 9-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2015-16 | 23-13 | 11-7 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2014-15 | 31-4 | 16-2 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | AP #10 |
| 2013-14 | 16-15 | 10-8 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2012-13 | 21-15 | 11-7 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2011-12 | 20-14 | 9-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2010-11 | 20-14 | 10-8 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2009-10 | 30-5 | 15-3 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | AP #19 |
| 2008-09 | 23-11 | 14-4 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2007-08 | 18-14 | 9-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2006-07 | 18-13 | 9-9 (MVC) | Ben Jacobson | |
| 2005-06 | 23-10 | 11-7 (MVC) | Greg McDermott | AP #25 |
| 2004-05 | 21-11 | 11-7 (MVC) | Greg McDermott | |
| 2003-04 | 21-10 | 12-6 (MVC) | Greg McDermott | |
| 2002-03 | 11-17 | 7-11 (MVC) | Greg McDermott | |
| 2001-02 | 14-15 | 8-10 (MVC) | Greg McDermott | |
| 2000-01 | 7-24 | 3-15 (MVC) | Sam Weaver | |
| 1999-00 | 14-15 | 7-11 (MVC) | Sam Weaver | |
| 1998-99 | 9-18 | 6-12 (MVC) | Sam Weaver | |
| 1997-98 | 10-17 | 4-14 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1996-97 | 16-12 | 11-7 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1995-96 | 14-13 | 8-10 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1994-95 | 8-20 | 4-14 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1993-94 | 16-13 | 10-8 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1992-93 | 12-15 | 8-10 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1991-92 | 10-18 | 6-12 (MVC) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1990-91 | 13-19 | 8-8 (Mid-Cont) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1989-90 | 23-9 | 6-6 (Mid-Cont) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1988-89 | 19-9 | 8-4 (Mid-Cont) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1987-88 | 10-18 | 4-10 (Mid-Cont) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1986-87 | 13-15 | 7-7 (Mid-Cont) | Eldon Miller | |
| 1985-86 | 8-19 | 3-11 (Mid-Cont) | Jim Berry | |
| 1984-85 | 12-16 | 6-8 (Mid-Cont) | Jim Berry | |
| 1983-84 | 18-10 | 10-4 (Mid-Cont) | Jim Berry | |
| 1982-83 | 13-18 | 6-5 (Mid-Cont) | Jim Berry | |
| 1981-82 | 12-15 | Ind | Jim Berry | |
| 1980-81 | 8-19 | Ind | Jim Berry |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|