Dayton to Host Illinois State in NIT Quarterfinal
The Dayton Flyers will face off against the Illinois State Redbirds in the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) this week. Illinois State secured their spot after a stunning 78-75 victory over Wake Forest on Sunday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.1
Game Details
The game will be held at the University of Dayton Arena on Wednesday, March 24, 2026, with a tip-off time of 7:00 p.m. Pre-game coverage will start at 6:00 p.m. On WHIO Radio and will as well be available at WHIO.com.1
Illinois State’s Upset Victory
Illinois State’s win against Wake Forest, the No. 1 seed in the Winston-Salem region, marked a significant upset. Johnny Kinziger sealed the victory for the Redbirds with a clutch 3-pointer with just two seconds remaining, giving Illinois State a 78-75 win.12 This victory represents the Redbirds’ first win over an ACC opponent since December 5, 2006, when they defeated the Miami Hurricanes.1
Key Players for Illinois State
Ty Pence led Illinois State in scoring with 23 points, while Johnny Kinziger contributed 19 points, including the game-winning shot.4 Tre’Von Spillers also had a strong performance for the Redbirds.4
Dayton’s Path to the Quarterfinals
The Dayton Flyers advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating UNC Wilmington 80-61 on Saturday.1 They were the No. 2 seed in the Winston-Salem region.