For just the fourth time in their history, NIU reached a postseason tournament. Coach Montgomery has been to plenty, having spent a decade as an assistant under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. As a player under Spartan’s legend, Jud Heathcoat, he went to the postseason all 4 years.
He brought that winning attitude with him to DeKalb. After a couple rough seasons, and a couple so-so ones, he took NIU over the 20 win mark, and led them to their first tournament in 21 years last year. There is reason to think this will be the new normal, at least as long as Montgomery is the coach.