Men's Basketball Welcomes Illinois State For NIT Quarterfinal The University of Dayton Flyers will host Illinois State in the NIT quarterfinals at UD Arena on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup pits Dayton (25-11, 12-6 A-10) against Illinois State (22-12, 12-8 MVC), with the game airing on ESPN2. The Flyers will look to continue their strong performance in the tournament after securing a decisive victory over the UNCW Seahawks in their previous round. Dayton erased a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat UNCW 80-61 in a sold-out Trask Coliseum on Saturday. The Flyers’ second-half surge was highlighted by the standout play of junior guard De'Shayne Montgomery, who became the fourth Dayton player to reach 1,000 career points this season. Montgomery contributed 20 points, along with three steals, two assists, and two rebounds, leading the team to their second road win in the NIT. Dayton’s defense also held UNCW to just 3-of-21 shooting from beyond the three-point line, limiting the Seahawks’ offensive efficiency. Illinois State, meanwhile, advanced to the quarterfinals after a dramatic road win over No. 1 seed Wake Forest. The Redbirds hit a game-winning three-pointer with 2 seconds remaining to secure the victory. This win added to Illinois State’s strong season, which includes a 12-8 record in the MVC. The matchup against Dayton will test both teams’ ability to maintain momentum in a high-stakes tournament setting. Montgomery’s milestone achievement underscores his growing impact on the Flyers’ success. His 8-of-13 shooting performance against UNCW demonstrated his ability to carry the team in critical moments. With Dayton’s balanced attack and defensive focus, the Flyers aim to build on their recent success as they face Illinois State in the next round of the NIT.#ud_arena #university_of_dayton #illinois_state #nit_quarterfinals #trask_coliseum
