NJIT opens its 2026-27 men’s basketball season at Dayton, building on a record-setting 16-win campaign and its first top-four America East finish. Sophomore guard David Bolden, a preseason all-conference pick, leads a Highlanders team selected fourth in the league’s preseason poll.

By the Numbers
  • 16 wins in 2025-26 — NJIT’s most since 2018-19.
  • 10 conference wins, a program record.
  • 33 starts for Bolden, who averaged 11.8 points and a conference-best 1.9 steals per game.
  • 7 returning players; 5 high-major opponents on the nonconference schedule.
Yes, But

The opener is a road test against Dayton, and the teams have never met. NJIT also brings in six newcomers, so the challenge will be carrying last season’s momentum into a reshaped roster.

State of Play
  • Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at UD Arena, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
  • Grant Billmeier begins his fourth season as head coach; NJIT was picked fourth in the America East preseason poll.
  • Bolden returns after earning America East Rookie of the Year and preseason all-conference honors.
What’s Next

NJIT stays on the road to face Iona Thursday in the America East-Metro Challenge. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hynes Athletic Complex.

Bottom Line

NJIT’s record-setting season raises expectations, but the Dayton opener will offer an early test of whether the Highlanders can turn last year’s breakthrough into sustained progress.