Men's Basketball Preview: Eureka Opens 2025-26 Season Friday at Dominican

RIVER FOREST, Ill. — Eureka opens its 2025-26 men's basketball season on the road Friday night, visiting Dominican for a 7:15 p.m. tipoff at the Igini Sports Forum. Both programs return three starters from last season and look to start off strong with a nonconference victory.

Eureka enters the season coming off a 10-17 finish in 2024-25, including an 8-10 mark in SLIAC play and a run to the conference tournament semifinals under 19th-year head coach Chip Wilde. The Red Devils return three starters and several key rotation pieces but will need to replace 55% of their scoring from a year ago. Junior guard Micah Bruer, Eureka's top returning scorer at 6.9 points per game, headlines a group that also includes Dylan Logsdon, Jaxson Provost, and Ben Carter, who all played key roles in last year's success.

The Red Devils' 2024-25 profile emphasized crashing the glass and getting to the line, finishing 46th nationally in rebounds per game (40.3) while averaging 14.5 made free throws per contest. Eureka also showcased significant perimeter production, as Bruer led the team with 42 made 3-pointers and senior forward Jonah Lauff shot 41.1% from beyond the arc. Eureka will look to reestablish that balance while integrating a deep roster that features 14 seniors and a promising group of newcomers.

Dominican also brings back three starters from its 8-17 squad that finished 11th in the NACC. The Stars' returning core includes sophomore guard Lucas Underwood (6.2 ppg, 2.8 apg), junior forward Dean O'Brien (4.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and senior wing Dominic Crapia (5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Dominican's identity last season centered on rim protection, free throws, and perimeter defense, ranking 46th nationally in free throws made (15.7 per game), 50th in blocks (4.1 per game), and limiting opponents to just 30.4% shooting from 3-point range.

Eureka holds a 17-12 advantage in the all-time series and defeated Dominican 83-79 at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena last November under Wilde, who is 6-2 all-time against the Stars

Eureka will also try to reverse recent fortunes in season debuts, aiming for its first opening-night victory since the 2020-21 season, when the Red Devils defeated Iowa Wesleyan 85-78 at home.

Both teams will aim to establish early-season rhythm and test their new rotations as the 2025-26 college basketball season gets underway.

Eureka returns home on Tuesday, Nov. 11, to host Monmouth at 7:30 p.m. at the Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena.