Men's Basketball Preview: Eureka Prepares for Home Opener Against Monmouth

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka men's basketball team hosts Monmouth in its home opener on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Red Devils will look to build on a strong season opener and attempt to start 2-0 for the first time since 2020-21.

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LAST TIME OUT:

Eureka opened its 2025-26 campaign with a 90-85 overtime win at Dominican on Friday, powered by a career-high 30 points from Jaxson Provost. The Red Devils erased a six-point halftime deficit behind a second half surge that featured 56.7 percent shooting from the field and 85.7 percent from three. Provost scored 16 after the break and added the go-ahead three-point play in the final minute of regulation, while Jonah Lauff supplied a 7-0 run to open the half. Ben Carter's 14 rebounds and six assists were pivotal, and Eureka's defense held Dominican to one field goal in overtime to secure the road victory.

ON THE GLASS:

Eureka enters Tuesday's matchup as one of the nation's top rebounding teams through the opening weekend. The Red Devils rank first in the country in defensive rebounds per game (42.0) and sit 11th nationally in total rebounds per game (53.0). Carter leads the effort individually, ranking third in Division III in defensive rebounds per game (11.0) and 11th in total rebounds per game (14.0). His presence helped Eureka dominate the glass at Dominican and sets the tone for a group that will look to maintain its early-season edge on the boards.

MEET MONMOUTH:

The Red Devils now turn their attention to a Monmouth squad that entered the year as the preseason favorite in the Midwest Conference after winning last season's regular season title. The Fighting Scots dropped their opener 71-55 to Millikin, posting their lowest scoring output in nearly two years while shooting 31.7 percent from the field. Despite the result, Monmouth's core remained productive: Zay Brown led with 22 points and eight rebounds, extending his double-figure scoring streak to 12 games and his 20-point streak to four. Cam Thomas added 12 points and three steals, and Max Maring contributed 11 points.

Monmouth rallied early in the second half to pull within one at 42-41, but Millikin responded with a decisive run and held the Scots scoreless over the final 2:43. The Scots finished with zero bench points and leaned heavily on their starters throughout the night.

Eureka will look to build on a strong start against a Monmouth team aiming to rebound in its first road contest of the season.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Eureka heads to the Lopata Classic hosted by WashU this weekend, where they will take on the hosts, currently ranked No. 5 in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll, at 5:00 p.m. in a semifinal matchup.