Illinois’ first exhibition already comes with a little injury drama, but there’s no real reason to sound the alarm.
The Illini will open against Cincinnati on Saturday, and while the timing lines up nicely with football’s bye week, fans hoping to see David Mirkovic make his preseason debut are going to have to wait. Head coach Brad Underwood told reporters that Mirkovic will not play, and that call fits the situation. Mirkovic is still working back from a foot injury that required surgery in late July, so Illinois has every incentive to be cautious in a game that doesn’t count.
There is also uncertainty around Jake Davis. Underwood said the senior is a game-time decision after suffering an ankle injury in practice, though he added that he “wouldn’t expect to see him” against Cincinnati. That leaves Illinois potentially short a pair of useful pieces for its first tune-up.
Davis’ situation is worth watching because he’s been a steady part of the rotation. Last season, he played nearly 20 minutes per game, averaged 5.4 points and 2.2 rebounds, and appeared in at least 30 games in each of his last two years with the Illini. He hasn’t been a headline scorer, but he’s been the kind of dependable bench option Brad Underwood can call on without blinking.
Still, the safest move may be to keep him on the sideline for this one. Illinois has two more exhibitions before the regular season begins, and this first one is more about getting loose, sorting out new pieces and knocking off the rust than pushing anyone who isn’t fully right. If that means giving younger players more chances against Cincinnati, so be it.
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