First Look at Illinois Basketball’s Game 1 Opponent: Fairleigh Dickinson Knights

After an offseason filled with excitement and sky-high expectations, Illinois basketball is finally back. The No. 3-ranked Illini will officially begin their 2026-27 campaign on Monday when they welcome Fairleigh Dickinson to State Farm Center for a 7 p.m. CT tip-off.

Brad Underwood’s Illini are fresh off their first Final Four appearance in more than two decades and have their sights set on an even bigger prize this season. First up is an FDU team that, on paper, shouldn’t present a great deal of trouble.

But before Illinois fans start penciling in a win, remember: This is the same program that became just the second No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history, stunning Purdue in 2023. So perhaps the Illini shouldn’t take the Knights too lightly.

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FDU at a glance

The Knights are led by fourth-year coach Jack Castleberry, who is aiming to turn things around after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. FDU finished just 11-21 overall and 8-10 in Northeast Conference play, struggling to find much consistency throughout the season.

Castleberry has responded by essentially rebuilding his roster. The Knights welcome 10 newcomers, including seven transfers, while returning just six players from last year’s squad.

The overhaul brings plenty of uncertainty – but also some optimism that FDU can take a step forward in the NEC. Whether that translates into a competitive showing against one of the nation’s best teams is another question entirely.

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The Knights on the court

Key players

The biggest returning name is sophomore David Jevtic, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year. The 6-foot-8 Serbian guard averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last season, flashing the versatility and shooting potential that made him one of the conference’s most promising young players.

Jevtic is joined by several intriguing newcomers, most notably graduate transfer JR Jacobs. A 5-foot-11 guard, Jacobs arrives from Division II Georgia Southwestern State, where he averaged 13.4…

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Publish date : 2026-11-02 05:45:00

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