Illinois picked up its first Big Ten win by beating Ohio State on the road Tuesday 88-80. This victory gives the Illini their second Quad 1 win of the year and an essential 1-0 start to conference play.
The Illini freshmen came ready in their first true road game, leading Illinois throughout. David Mirkovic opened the game scorching hot from three and finished with 22 points. He knocked down four threes and grabbed nine rebounds in 33 minutes.
Keaton Wagler played 39 minutes and delivered a team-high
23 points in his first Big Ten game. He was the focal point of the Illini offense for most of the night, consistently exploiting Ohio State’s big men when they switched onto him. Wagler also showed up in a major way against Tennessee on Saturday, posting 16 points, eight boards, and five assists.
“Keaton Wagler. Buy Stock Now,” said CBS college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein on X.
Wagler was ranked just No. 150 nationally by 247Sports but has proven to be one of the best freshmen in the country. The two-time Kansas state champion visited only one other high-major program (Minnesota) and was primarily recruited by mid-majors.
Both freshmen have had off nights this season but have bounced back in big ways, showcasing their mental toughness. Before tonight, Wagler was averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Mirkovic was averaging 13.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Wagler and Mirkovic played like upperclassmen in their first league game and have elevated the trajectory of this Illini team. They are high-IQ players who provide Illinois with aggressive rebounding, smart passing, and another avenue to win games with their scoring, as they did against Ohio State.
