| MATCHUP | Fairleigh Dickinson Knights | Illinois Fighting Illini |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Where | State Farm Center, Champaign, IL | |
| When | Monday, November 2, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | BTN | |
FDU vs Illinois Prediction
In this FDU vs Illinois Prediction, Illinois is coming as -38.5 home favorites. The quality difference in this matchup is chaotic, as Illinois was one of the best squads in the nation last season, finishing second in the Big 10 and making it all the way to the Final Four, where the lost by UConn. They were almost a top-50 team both offensively and defensively for a +24.8 point differential will face FDU who struggled even in the NEC, with a negative conference record, was terrible against the spread, with a 10-19 ATS record and struggled mightily on the road. This will be a blowout, so take Illinois and lay the big number in this one.
Illinois Fighting Illini Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini finished last season with a 28-9 overall record and a 15-5 record in the Big Ten and ranked 5th in the final AP Poll. Offensively, they averaged 83.2 points per game, ranking 28th in the nation, while allowing 68.8 points per game defensively, ranking 51st. The Fighting Illini shot with 46.1% from the field and 34.5% from beyond the arc, while grabbing 41.1 rebounds per game and averaging 14.2 assists per game. They had 4.6 blocks per game and 3.7 steals per game defensively.
Keaton Wagler led Illinois in scoring, with an average of 17.9 ppg, adding 5.1 rebounds while shooting with 44.5% from the field and 79.6% from the free throw line. Andrej Stojakovic followed with 13.5 ppg and 4.5 rebounds per game, while David Mirkovic added 13.3 ppg.
FDU Knights Preview
The FDU Knights finished last season with an 11-21 overall record and an 8-10 record in the NEC. Offensively, they averaged 67.2 points per game, ranking 341st in the nation, while allowing 70.2 points per game defensively, ranking 72nd. The Knights shot with 41.3% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc, while grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game and averaging 12.1 assists per game. They had 1.5 blocks per game and 5 steals per game defensively.
Joey Niesman led FDU in scoring, with an average of 12.3 ppg, adding 3.8 rebounds while shooting with 41.3% from the field and 74.1% from the free throw line. Eric Parnell followed with 10.7 ppg and 2.2 rebounds per game, while Taeshaud Jackson added 10.3 ppg.
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights @ Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends: November 2, 2026
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Fairleigh Dickinson has lost each of its last 13 road night games against non-Conference opponents.
- Illinois has won 25 of its last 26 night games against non-Conference opponents at State Farm Center.
- Fairleigh Dickinson has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 night games against the Big Ten Conference.
Matchup/League Facts
- Illinois ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating last season (127.9).
- Illinois ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for points per possession last season (1.28).
- Fairleigh Dickinson ranked T46th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game last season (32.0).