What an NCAA Tournament debut from David Mirkovic.
The freshman from Montenegro played one of the best games an Illini has ever played in the tournament. Mirkovic went for a career-high 29 points and grabbed a tournament program record 17 rebounds.
Advertisement
“I thought he [Mirkovic] was the best player on the court tonight,” said Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. “Especially in the first half…his physicality, ten rebounds in a half and 17 points. We talk about those being our daily vitamins with the rebounding piece.”
An undersized and overmatched Penn squad didn’t stand much of a chance against Mirkovic and the Illini frontcourt from the get-go. Illinois won the rebounding battle 48-25 and scored 44 of its 105 points in the paint.
“That’s what I do every day,” Mirkovic mentioned postgame. “In games I just crash the board and try to bring that physicality. Balls on the offensive glass were just like magnets to me because I was crashing. I got a lot of easy points on the rim and that’s what got me going.”
Mirkovic remained humble after his incredible showing, but his co-star Keaton Wagler made sure to give his freshman pal some much deserved flowers.
Advertisement
“I think all year he’s been one of the best freshmen in the country, really,” Wagler said of Mirkovic. “With this loaded freshman class that we have, I think he’s kinda been overshadowed a little bit…In the games he does all of the little stuff for us. He rebounds, plays physical, plays hard all the time. I think tonight he just showed what he’s capable of. I’m super proud of him for how he came out here on this big stage and how he played. He set the tone for us having 10 rebounds in the first half…He really set the tone for us.”
Wagler had a phenomenal night himself, scoring 18 points and tallying seven rebounds and seven assists. Illinois’ two star freshmen were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team last week.
#3 Illinois returns to action on Saturday night against #11 VCU with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line. VCU surrendered 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to North Carolina’s star big man Henri Veesaar before Illinois and Penn took the floor on Thursday night.
Do you think Mirk is due for another big night against VCU in the Round of 32?
