Mihailo Petrovic Makes the Most of His Moment in Illinois’ Win Over Minnesota
CHAMPAIGN - When Illinois brought in Mihailo Petrovic this offseason, the vision was clear: the Serbian guard was supposed to be a key piece in a Big Ten title chase. The Illini saw him as a dynamic playmaker who could add depth and creativity to an already talented backcourt. But sometimes, basketball has a way of rewriting the script.
Petrovic’s start in Champaign didn’t go as planned. A late arrival delayed his integration into the system, and a pair of nagging injuries - an ankle and a hamstring - slowed his progress even more.
Meanwhile, Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell took the reins and ran with them. And with how well they’ve played, it’s been tough for Brad Underwood to find minutes for Petrovic.
Let’s be clear: Illinois hasn’t exactly been hurting for offense. The Illini are currently sitting at No. 3 in the nation in offensive efficiency, and at 15-3 overall (6-1 in Big Ten play), they’ve been rolling.
Wagler has been orchestrating the offense like a seasoned vet, and he’s bringing more to the table defensively and on the boards than Petrovic. Boswell’s been steady and reliable.
In short, there hasn’t been much room - or need - for Petrovic in the rotation.
But Saturday against Minnesota, the Illini needed a spark. Midway through the first half, the offense hit a wall.
Minnesota’s zone defense started to gum things up, and suddenly the rhythm that’s defined Illinois’ attack all season disappeared. Wagler and Boswell weren’t getting much going, and the energy dipped.
That’s when Underwood turned to Petrovic - a move that didn’t just shake things up, it changed the momentum.
Petrovic checked in with 4:03 left in the first half and Illinois trailing 32-26. What followed was a glimpse of the player the Illini hoped they’d be getting all along.
He sliced through the zone, scoring a layup and knocking down a smooth midrange jumper. But it wasn’t just the four points - it was the activity.
He grabbed three rebounds, brought a jolt of effort on defense (an area that’s been a question mark for him), and helped Illinois close the half on an 8-2 run to tie things up at 34.
He only saw two minutes of action in the second half and missed his lone shot, but by then, the tone had been set. Illinois had found its footing and went on to secure a 77-67 win.
Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves - this wasn’t a breakout game that guarantees Petrovic a bigger role moving forward. But it was a reminder that even in a limited role, he can offer something valuable.
In a long season, especially in the grind of Big Ten play, having a guy like Petrovic ready to step in and change the tempo when things stall? That’s a luxury.
For now, Wagler and Boswell remain the clear leaders in the Illinois backcourt. But Saturday showed that Petrovic isn’t just along for the ride. He might not be the centerpiece the Illini envisioned, but in the right moment, he’s still capable of making a difference.