DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's basketball team will open the 2026-27 season in the Field of 68 24-Hour Opening Day Marathon on Monday, November 2. The Huskies will take on Grambling in a contest that will tip-off at 2 a.m. CT at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, S.C.
The contest, which takes place on the first day of the college basketball season, will be the first regular season game for the Huskies under the direction of new head coach Matt Majkrzak. The event will be streamed live on the Field of 68's YouTube channel and X (Twitter) feed.
"It's awesome," said Majkrzak. "I grew up watching a version of this event with the tip-off classic they used to do. I think starting at 3 a.m. (2 a.m. CT) is something our guys will never forget. You always have some nerves going into the first game, but add in that it's at 3 a.m., it's going to be a lot of fun. Excited about the opportunity to start right away and not have to sit around all day waiting for the first game."
NIU's complete non-conference schedule will be announced soon.
Fans can make deposits for season tickets for the first season of the Matt Majkrzak era online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets, by contacting the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or via email at huskiestickets@niu.edu.
The Boneyard Competitive Excellence Fund supports Huskie student-athletes with a forward-thinking approach designed to strengthen competitiveness, elevate the student-athlete experience, and secure a successful future for NIU Athletic programs. For more information or to contribute to the Boneyard Competitive Excellence Fund, please contact the Huskies Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923 or huskieathleticfund@niu.edu.
Full Field of 68 24-Hour Opening Day Marathon Schedule
Rock Hill, S.C.
High Point vs. Liberty, Midnight ET/11 pm CT
Grambling vs. Northern Illinois, 3 am ET/2am CT
Appalachian State vs Merrimack, 6 am ET/5am CT
Queens vs. Winthrop, 9 am ET/8 am CT
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Murray State vs. Tennessee State, 11:30 am ET/10:30 am CT
UTEP vs. Northern Kentucky, 2 pm ET/1 pm CT
Rock Hill, S.C.
UAB vs. McNeese State, 5:30 pm ET/4:30 pm CT
Furman vs. Bethune-Cookman, 8 pm ET/7 pm CT
