MONTICELLO, Ark. –The University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team is set to host its 2026-27 home opener on Monday, November 9, before traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the GAC/NSIC Crossover Challenge on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14.
The Boll Weevils will welcome Lyon College to Steelman Field House on Monday at 12:00 p.m. for the Billie Ball Game. UAM will then head to Little Rock to face the Vikings of Augustana University (SD) on Friday at 1:00 p.m., followed by a matchup against the Wildcats of Wayne State College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Coming off a 76-17 exhibition loss to Louisiana Tech on November 5 in Ruston, Louisiana, the Weevils will look to bounce back as they begin their regular-season schedule. With a new-look roster featuring a mix of returning players and fresh faces, Arkansas-Monticello aims to build momentum during its home opener before taking on a pair of challenging opponents over the weekend.
PRESEASON NOTES
The Boll Weevils enter the 2026-27 season looking to establish a strong foundation with a roster of 16 players, including nine first-year players and seven upperclassmen.
Returning to the roster are Josh Smith and Felix Smedjeback, who bring experience to the Weevils heading into the new campaign. Arkansas-Monticello also welcomes several new additions, including Jaxon Berry, Aiden Cilladi, Rares Trandafir, and Alain Nziza.
The Weevils will look to develop chemistry and consistency throughout their non-conference schedule before beginning Great American Conference play.
2026-27 Roster:
#0 Jaxon Berry – Forward | Third Year | Farmington, Arkansas
#1 Josh Smith – Forward | Fifth Year | Dallas, Texas
#2 Aiden Cilladi – Forward | Third Year | Oviedo, Florida
#3 Rares Trandafir – Forward | First Year | Brasov, Romania
#5 Marvin Schindler – Guard | Second Year | South Bend, Indiana
#10 Felix Smedjeback – Forward | Fourth Year | Malmo, Sweden
#12 Marquis Burse – Forward | Third Year | Annapolis, Missouri
#15 Davonyae Butcher – Guard | First Year | Madisonville, Kentucky
#16 Edy Rantz – Center | First Year | Hamburg, Germany
#20 Justice Moore – Guard | First Year | Jacksonville, Arkansas
#22 Jace Sullivan – Forward | First Year | Greenbrier, Arkansas
#23 Dillon Dettmering – Guard | First Year | Fountain Lake, Arkansas
#24 Landen Hill – Guard | First Year | Bryant, Arkansas
#25 Ethan Kennedy – Forward | First Year | Farmington, Arkansas
#30 Jude Roberts – Guard | First Year | Woodlawn, Arkansas
#33 Alain Nziza – Guard | Third Year | Amarillo, Texas
LAST MEETING
Lyon College – The last time the Scots and Boll Weevils met was on January 2, 2012, in Monticello, Arkansas, where UAM came away with an 86-63 victory. The Weevils also defeated Lyon College earlier that season, winning 86-65 on November 17, 2011, in Batesville, Arkansas. Arkansas-Monticello enters this year’s matchup riding a four-game winning streak against the Scots.
Augustana University (SD) – The last meeting between the Vikings and Boll Weevils took place on November 11, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri, where UAM fell in a close 68-67 contest. Augustana held a 39-36 advantage at halftime before the Weevils outscored the Vikings 31-29 in the second half. Despite the second-half effort, Arkansas-Monticello came up just one point short.
Wayne State College – This will be the first meeting between the Wildcats and Boll Weevils in program history.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Lyon College – Arkansas-Monticello trails the all-time series against Lyon College 31-44, with the two programs meeting 75 times dating back to December 10, 1960. The Weevils won the first meeting 76-64 and have claimed seven of the last 10 matchups. UAM holds a 15-16 record at home against the Scots and has won the last four meetings.
Augustana University (SD) – The Boll Weevils trail the all-time series against Augustana 0-3, with the programs meeting three times since March 11, 2017. UAM fell 76-69 in the first meeting, followed by a 90-73 loss in 2019 and a narrow 68-67 defeat in 2022. The Weevils are averaging 69.7 points per game against the Vikings.
Wayne State College – This will mark the first meeting between the Wildcats and Boll Weevils, with both programs looking to claim their first victory in the all-time series.
Game Recaps
Following the conclusion of each game, Weevil Basketball will have a recap posted to uamsports.com, X, and Facebook. Recaps will be available on the men’s basketball schedule page and through UAM Athletics’ social media channels.
How to Follow the Weevils: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Men’s Basketball, visit www.uamsports.comand follow the team’s social media channels on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
#WeevilNation
Article published with permission of UAM Athletics.
