Illinois’ season opener is arriving with a major wrinkle, and it comes at the worst possible time for a team carrying national title expectations.
David Mirkovic, recently named a preseason All-American, will not play Monday against Fairleigh Dickinson. Brad Underwood said Sunday that the setback is bigger than the foot issue that had already clouded his availability. Mirkovic also had appendicitis and had his appendix removed last night.
“Obviously, Mirk (David Mirkovic) is going to be out. He has had a continued setback, as he had appendicitis, his appendix removed last night.”
Underwood said the team still does not have a clear return timetable.
“We don’t know what that means. I can’t give you any further update than that. He was in the emergency room having his appendix removed last night.
The news adds another layer of uncertainty to a recovery process that was already murky. Mirkovic was expected to be the centerpiece for the No. 3 team in the country, but now Illinois has to navigate the start of the season without him for even longer than originally anticipated.
If anything, the guesswork around his return has only grown. A December return feels like the earliest realistic window, and it would not be a surprise if his first game comes when Big Ten play begins in January.
Still, Illinois is built to absorb the blow better than most teams could. Underwood has put together a roster with real depth, and that gives the Illini a chance to stay afloat while Mirkovic heals.
Against the Knights, Andrej Stojakovic and Tomislav Ivisic are expected to start. Both bring experience and both have a chance to be in the NBA next season. Behind them, Jake Davis, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Stefan Vaaks give Illinois more seasoned options, with each entering at least his second season.
Underwood also added multiple four- or five-star recruits during the offseason, giving the roster more layers. Davis, meanwhile, led Illinois in three-point shooting last season, and the team’s perimeter work has looked solid in the exhibition slate. Across three exhibition games, Illinois’ worst three-point shooting performance was 35.9%.
The one area that could still give the Illini trouble is rebounding. That remains the concern, and it could show up at times. Even so, the expectation is that Illinois can weather the early stretch without Mirkovic and still remain in strong shape once he returns.
The bigger picture remains unchanged: the Illini still want to be a top 20 program when Mirkovic is back.
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