Overview
- David Mirkovic had an emergency appendectomy Saturday night and will not play in Illinois’ season opener on Monday.
- The operation adds to an existing recovery from left foot surgery that kept him out of exhibition games and leaves no return timetable.
- Coach Brad Underwood said the staff will be patient to avoid re-injury and will protect Mirkovic’s long-term availability.
- Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic are active for the opener while freshman guard Lincoln Williams is listed as questionable, forcing short-term rotation changes.
- Mirkovic was a preseason All‑America pick after averaging about 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds as a freshman, so his absence creates both a roster hole and an early chance for younger players to earn expanded roles.