With starting point guard Kylan Boswell sidelined due to a hand injury, Illinois is entering a critical stretch of the season with a major question: who fills the void-not just in minutes, but in impact?
At first glance, backup guard Mihailo Petrovic might seem like the logical plug-in. But the Illini are looking elsewhere for answers.
Enter Andrej Stojakovic. The freshman wing now finds himself in the spotlight, not just as a scoring option but as a two-way contributor tasked with elevating his game on both ends of the floor.
Offensive Expectations: More Than Just a Shooter
Let’s start with the offense. Stojakovic has already shown flashes of what he can do, and with Boswell out, those flashes need to become full-on firework displays.
He’s got a knack for getting to the rim and finishing through contact-using both hands, no less. That kind of versatility around the basket is a huge asset for Illinois, especially when the halfcourt offense starts to bog down.
What’s been most surprising is how much of his game lives inside the arc. Given his last name, you might expect a pure shooter in the mold of his father, Peja.
But Andrej is carving out his own identity. While his perimeter shot is still a work in progress, his ability to slash and score in traffic gives Illinois another dynamic option-something they’ll need in spades during this stretch of tough Big Ten road games.
If Illinois is going to stay afloat in the conference standings, they may need a few 20-point nights from Stojakovic. And based on his recent performance against Maryland, he’s more than capable of rising to that challenge.
Defensive Responsibilities: Stepping Into Boswell’s Shoes
Offense, however, is only half the story.
Boswell wasn’t just a floor general-he was the Illini’s defensive anchor on the perimeter. Night after night, he took on the opponent’s best guard and made life miserable for them. That responsibility now shifts to Stojakovic, and it’s a tall order.
The good news? He’s got the physical tools.
At 6'7" with long arms and solid lateral quickness, Stojakovic has the frame and athleticism to be a disruptive defender. What Illinois needs now is consistency.
He’ll be asked to defend high-usage guards, fight through screens, and stay locked in possession after possession. That’s a new level of intensity-and maturity-for a freshman, but it’s the kind of challenge that can accelerate a player’s growth.
This isn’t just about filling in for Boswell-it’s about helping the team maintain its identity on both ends of the court.
Depth and Resilience: Can the Illini Stay in the Hunt?
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing Boswell is a blow. His leadership, defense, and poise in late-game situations will be missed.
But Illinois has the depth to weather this storm. With a roster full of capable contributors, the Illini don’t need one player to replace Boswell-they need a collective effort, and Stojakovic is a big part of that equation.
This stretch will test Illinois' resilience, especially with a tough slate of road games on the horizon. But it’s also an opportunity-for Stojakovic to grow, for the team to rally, and for the Illini to prove that they’re more than just the sum of their parts.
The Big Ten standings won’t wait for anyone. But if Stojakovic can rise to the moment-on both ends of the floor-Illinois might just stay right in the thick of the race.