Illinois basketball will get some much-needed reinforcements for Monday night’s season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson, but the injury news isn’t all positive for the Fighting Illini.
Head coach Brad Underwood confirmed Sunday that both Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic will be active and in the lineup when Illinois opens its regular season at State Farm Center.
Both players suffered injuries during Illinois’ exhibition loss to Baylor last month. Stojakovic and Ivisic each took hard falls and appeared
to hit their heads, forcing them to leave the game. Neither played in Illinois’ final exhibition against UIC.
There was less encouraging news regarding sophomore forward David Mirkovic. Underwood revealed Sunday that Mirkovic underwent an emergency appendectomy Saturday night after developing appendicitis. His appendix was removed, and he will not play Monday.
Mirkovic was already recovering from offseason foot surgery that has kept him out of all three exhibition games. The preseason All-American had recently been spotted working out without his walking boot before returning to the boot and scooter during Illinois’ exhibition against Baylor.
Underwood did not provide a timetable for Mirkovic’s return.
Freshman guard Lincoln Williams also remains questionable for Monday’s opener. Underwood has not provided an indication of whether Williams will be available.
Illinois opens its season against Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m. Monday at State Farm Center.
