Illini star David Mirkovic back in boot but ‘no setback’; Ivisic twins, Stojakovic leaves injured

CHAMPAGNE — David Mirkovic rolled onto the State Farm Center floor on a scooter nearly two hours before Friday’s exhibition loss to Baylorhis left foot put back into a walking boot.

Given that Mirkovic had come out in a boot at public events and posted videos of himself dunking a ball, it was a bit shocking to see the now relegated preseason All-American rolling around the State Farm Center with his foot in a protective boot.

“Obviously without Mirk and we will be for a little while,” head coach Brad Underwood said. “They put him back in a boot. I’ve said from day one that we’re going to be very patient and diligent with this. We want to make sure he heals properly and in a way that keeps him going not only for the year but for the rest of his career. He’s one of the best rebounders in the country, and who’s going to step up?”

Underwood told the Illini Inquirer after a 95-91 loss to Baylor that Mirkovic had no setbacks in his recovery from the foot injury he suffered late in the summer that required surgery. Although he responded, “I think so,” when asked by the Illini Inquirer if he was preparing for Mirkovic to miss regular season games. No. 3 Illinois opens the regular season on November 2 Fairleigh Dickinson.

Mirkovic was named a preseason All-American by CBSSports and the Associated Press after a strong freshman season. Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a freshman last season, and the 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore was expected to be one of the best players in the Big Ten this season.

The projected first-round pick should be a focal point of the Illini offense and a hub to facilitate what will likely be one of the premier offenses in the country.

“No setbacks,” Underwood said. “It’s about making sure the scans show that everything is correct, that the screw is great, that it fits well, that it’s in place, that there’s nothing. It’s just the extra time to make sure the healing is complete and there’s nothing to report on other than that. We went through that a while ago with one of our players. Everyone heals differently and goes through their process. He’s in good spirits and we’ll see what is the calendar.”

The Illini frontcourt suffered two more hits in a 95-91 loss to Baylor.

Tomislav Ivisic left the game in the second half due to a left knee injury. Underwood didn’t immediately hear from Ivisic, who played 19:38 with two points and four rebounds. Ivisic went to the locker room immediately after leaving the field and returned to the bench before the end of the match. He had long conversations with members of the coaching staff upon his return to the bench.

Zvonimir Ivisic left the game after suffering a hard fall following a rebound attempt. Ivisic remained on the ground for over a minute before leaving the floor. He first walked to the team huddle before the athletic trainers took him to the locker room. He did not return to the bench.

Wing Andrej Stojakovic suffered a heavy fall in the second half after suffering a heavy fall during a shot attempt. He remained on the ground after a heavy fall before being helped to the locker room. He also did not return to the game. Sotjakovic scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds before leaving the game.

“As of right now, I haven’t talked to a doctor,” Underwood said. “I don’t know. Tomi hit his knee. I think Andrej and Z both hit their heads on the ground. We’ll see. It’s good to have Jason Jaksyts and Landon. Those guys fought and competed and did a good job.”