By John Bohnenkamp

Northern Iowa begins its pursuit of back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball regular-season titles with three of its first four conference games at home.

The Panthers, who went 25-6 overall and 14-4 in the Valley last season, open conference play with a Dec. 30 game against Missouri State. After a Jan. 3 road game at Bradley, UNI comes back home for a Jan. 6 game against Illinois State and a Jan. 9 game against Evansville.

UNI brings back guard A.J. Green, the Valley’s player of the year last season who averaged 19.7 points per game.

Drake, which went 20-14 overall last season but 8-10 in the Valley, opens its season on Dec. 30 at Loyola. The Bulldogs’ home conference opener is Jan. 2 against Indiana State.

UNI schedule

Dec. 30 — Missouri State. Jan. 3 — at Bradley. Jan. 6 — Illinois State. Jan. 9 — Evansville. Jan. 13 — at Indiana State. Jan. 17 — at Southern Illinois. Jan. 20 — Bradley. Jan. 23 — Valparaiso. Jan. 27 — at Missouri State. Jan. 30 — at Drake. Feb. 3 — Indiana State. Feb. 6 — Loyola. Feb. 10 — at Evansville. Feb. 14 — Drake. Feb. 17 — at Valparaiso. Feb. 20 — at Illinois State. Feb. 24 — Southern Illinois. Feb. 27 — at Loyola.

Drake schedule

Dec. 30 — at Loyola. Jan. 2 — Indiana State. Jan. 6 — at Evansville. Jan. 10 — Missouri State. Jan. 13 — Bradley. Jan. 16 — at Indiana State. Jan. 20 — at Southern Illinois. Jan. 23 — Evansville. Jan. 27 — at Valparaiso. Jan. 30 — UNI. Feb. 3 — Illinois State. Feb. 6 — at Missouri State. Feb. 10 — Valparaiso. Feb. 14 — at UNI. Feb. 17 — at Bradley. Feb. 21 — Southern Illinois. Feb. 24 — Loyola. Feb. 27 — at Illinois State.