Overview
- Coach Brad Underwood confirmed late Sunday that David Mirkovic underwent an emergency appendectomy Saturday night and would not be in uniform for Monday’s season opener.
- Underwood said staff cannot give a timeline for Mirkovic’s return, and he emphasized protecting the forward’s long‑term health after offseason left‑foot surgery.
- A reporter’s follow‑up indicated the surgery was laparoscopic and the appendix did not burst, a detail that lessens severity but still leaves return timing uncertain.
- Illinois opened the season with a 120-45 win without Mirkovic while Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic were cleared to play, Lincoln Williams was listed as questionable, and freshman rotations carried extra minutes.
- Mirkovic was a core contributor last season and a preseason All‑American, so his ongoing absence could force lineup changes against a challenging nonconference slate and increase pressure on younger players to fill the frontcourt role.