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Live Game Thread, Updates for Illinois Basketball vs. Fairleigh Dickinson

Keep track of the Illinois vs. FDU basketball score and action in Monday's 2026-27 season opener in Champaign with our periodic game updates
Jason Langendorf|
Illinois guard Quentin Coleman (11) drives to the rim against a Baylor defender in an October exhibition game at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
Illinois guard Quentin Coleman (11) drives to the rim against a Baylor defender in an October exhibition game at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. | University of Illinois

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Illinois Fighting IlliniFairleigh Dickinson Knights

Illinois basketball will open its 2026-27 regular season against Fairleigh Dickinson in a non-conference matchup Monday (7 p.m. CT, BTN) at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. After going 2-1 during their exhibition schedule, the Illini begin the season a little banged up but also ranked No. 3 in the country and pegged as a national championship contender.

Illinois' Preseason All-American forward David Mirkovic, already recovering from offseason foot surgery, required an emergency appendectomy Saturday night – possibly delaying his timeline for a return. Additionally, guard Andrej Stojakovic and forward Zvonimir Ivisic separately hit their heads on the court against Baylor on Oct. 23, and didn't play in the Illini's final exhibition game, but should both play against FDU. Freshman guard Lincoln Williams is considered questionable.

Fairleigh Dickinson, a No. 16 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, pulled the against-all-odds upset in the first round against top-seeded Purdue. And although then-Knights coach Tobin Anderson is long gone, successor Jack Castleberry may be building something bigger than FDU's recent results (11-21, sixth in the Northeast Conference last season) suggest.

Castelberry lost several key performers from a year ago but has also added size and productivity in St. Peter's transfer Bol Agu (6-foot-8), Pepperdine transfer Pavle Stosic (6-foot-10) and high-scoring 6-foot-4 guard Vophcy Prophete. They team with 6-foot-8 guard and 2026 NEC Rookie of the Year David Jevtic.

Illinois vs. Fairleigh Dickinson live score updates

First half

16:47: Welcome to the 2026-27 Fighting Illini: Illinois hits the ground running – literally. Andrej Stokakovic, who missed the team's final exhibition as a precaution (head), starts a run with a layup off the break and finishes it with a transition floater. In between, the Illini get a dunk on the break from Quentin Coleman, a three from Tomislav Ivisic and a couple free throws from Jake Davis. FDU's Bol Agu finally ends the home team's 11-0 opening surge with a jumper from the free-throw line. Illinois leads 11-2

12:38: Illinois sophomore transfer guard Stefan Vaaks is cooking. He hits a crossover on the left wing, drives to draw the help and dimes a slashing Zavier Zens for a beautiful bucket at the rim. Moments later, Vaaks hits his third straight three of the game. Illinois leads 27-6

11:05: Zvonimir Ivisic, who, like Stojakovic, missed Illinois' final exhibition game after banging his head against Baylor, checks in and almost immediately converts a bucket at the rim. On the other end, Jake Davis runs into a hard screen and is clearly in pain as he grabs his left shoulder. He leaves the court and heads to the locker room as we head to a media timeout. Illinois leads 29-8

8:26: Good sign for the Illini: Tomislav Ivisic, who had a tendency to disappear when he wasn't involved in the offense last season, has it going early. After Quentin Coleman assists Zavier Zens on a three, he zings a two-handed full-court pass off to Tomi under the opposite basket and ahead of FDU's defense. Ivisic already has eight points and a couple rebounds in seven minutes of burn. Illinois leads 38-12

6:11: Excellent ball movement from the Illini ends with Andrej Stojakovic giving and eyebrow fake at the top of the key and splitting FDU defenders in the paint to finish for the hoop and the harm. He converts the and-one to give Illinois its biggest lead yet. Illinois leads 44-17

5:26: Ethan Brown has a burner. After starting 0-for-2, Brown – a freshman – doesn't hesitate to loft one (and hit) off the catch, then sink another. Illinois leads 47-17

1:39: Treys are wild! The Illini seemingly can't miss from distance. Zavier Zens banks one in. Andrej Stojakovic, who shot 24.4 percent from three last season, finds nylon. When Stefan Vaaks tosses in his fourth three-pointer, Illinois caps a 24-0 run, extends its lead into the forties and forces FDU coach Jack Castleberry to call timeout. Illinois leads 62-17

0:02: The Illini are maintaining a blistering pace, pushing it in transition every chance they get and zipping the ball around in the halfcourt to go three-hunting the moment the Knights stop the ball. After Zvonimir Ivisic finishes the break, sophomore guard Blake Fagbemi – who had just checked in – cans a corner three to give Illinois 12 in the half – only six shy of the school record of 18. Illinois leads 67-20 at halftime

Top first-half performers

Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois: 16 points (7-for-9 on field goals), six rebounds
Stefan Vaaks, Illinois: 14 points (4-for-5 on threes)
Ethan Brown, Illinois: Eight points, seven rebounds and four assists
Quentin Coleman, Illinois: Four points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals

David Jevtic, FDU: Nine points, four rebounds
Vophcy Prophete, FDU: Five points

Second half

Injury updates: Jake Davis (shoulder) will not return to the game, according to the Big Ten Network broadcast. Freshman Lincoln Williams, who was listed as questionable (groin) before the game, is sitting this one out.

16:53: Andrej Stojakovic offers a superb contest to blow up a one-on-one transition opportunity for FDU, then the Illini advance the ball quickly to get Quentin Coleman a layup on the other end. Ethan Brown jumps a pass in the Knights' next possession and jams home yet another transition opportunity. Illinois leads 79-23

Illinois vs. Fairleigh Dickinson stories

• How to Watch Illinois Basketball vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
• 3 Questions Facing Illinois Basketball Ahead of Season Opener vs. FDU
• First Look at Illinois Basketball's Game 1 Opponent: Fairleigh Dickinson

Starting lineups

Illinois

G: Quentin Coleman
G: Ethan Brown
G: Jake Davis
G: Andrej Stojakovic
C: Tomislav Ivisic

Fairleigh Dickinson

G: JR Jacobs
G: Raysean Johnson
G: Vophcy Prophete
F: Travis Torain
F: Pavle Stosic

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Jason Langendorf
JASON LANGENDORF

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

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