NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT men's basketball team opens the 2026-27 season on the road against Dayton at 7:00 p.m. inside UD Arena. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

2025-26 Season Recap

• The Highlanders enter the 2026-27 season following a remarkable third year of the Billmeier Era. Ten conference wins set a program record, surpassing the previous high of nine as a Great West member in 2010-11.
• The Highlanders six-game winning streak tied the longest in the program's Division I era, previously achieved in 2011 and matched in 2015.
• NJIT also earned a top-four seed and hosted an America East quarterfinal for the first time since joining the conference in 2020.
• The Highlanders' 16 overall wins marked their highest total since the 2018-19 season.
• Following a standout freshman season, David Bolden earned a spot on the America East Preseason All-Conference Team after being named America East Rookie of the Year and to the All-Rookie Team. The sophomore guard was one of two Highlanders to start all 33 games, averaging 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a conference-leading 1.9 steals per game. He ranked third in the America East with 70 three-pointers, recorded four or more triples in six games and earned America East Rookie of the Week honors four times.

 
NJIT vs. Dayton: All-Time Series

• This is the first time the Highlanders and the Flyers will face-off.

Quick Notes:

• Grant Billmeier enters his fourth season at the helm.
• The Highlanders were selected to finish fourth in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, the highest preseason selection since joining the conference back in 2020.
• The Highlanders return seven players from last year's team.
• Newcomers to Newark include Mathéo Coffi, Jayonni Durrough, Brendan Oliver, Brandon Stores Jr, Mario Tatum Jr, Victor Vanderstraeten. 
• The Highlanders non-conference slate will feature five high-major teams. 
• Bolden becomes the second Highlander to be named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team, joining Zach Cooks, who earned the honor ahead of NJIT's inaugural season in the conference in 2020-21.

Next Up
The Highlanders stay on the road for the America East-Metro Challenge and take on Iona on Thursday, the 5^th in the Hynes Athletic Complex for a 7:00 p.m. start time. 

Stay Connected
Stay up to date on all things NJIT Men's Basketball throughout the season by following @NJITHoops on X/Twitter and Instagram.