Short Description
Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic lead Illinois basketball to a 10th straight win over Washington. Get the five key observations from the freshmen-powered victory.
Read Time
4 minutes, 15 seconds
Main Article
The Illinois basketball program secured its 10th consecutive victory on Thursday night, but the 75-66 win over the Washington Huskies was far from a masterpiece. While the freshmen duo of Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic continued their phenomenal play, the game remained uncomfortably close until the final minutes. This performance raised important questions about the supporting cast’s consistency and whether the team’s reliance on its young stars is sustainable against tougher competition.
Offensively, the night belonged to the freshmen. Wagler, proving himself a “man amongst boys,” orchestrated the Illinois basketball win with 22 points and eight assists, showcasing an otherworldly basketball IQ that controlled the game’s tempo. Mirkovic provided critical scoring support with 19 points, offering the only consistent help outside of Wagler. Meanwhile, senior transfer Ben Humrichous was a crucial spark off the bench, draining 4-of-6 from three-point range for 14 points, including key baskets to stifle Washington rallies in the second half.
However, the victory spotlighted significant concerns. Upperclassmen starters Andrej Stojakovic and others combined for just 18 points, with Stojakovic forcing difficult shots in a frustrating 4-of-11 night. The Illini win felt “uninspiring,” as a more talented team played down to its opponent at home. For the Illinois basketball team to contend at the highest level, veterans must provide reliable production. As one observation noted, you cannot expect Wagler to score 46 points every night in Big Ten play. The team’s tendency to “play with our food” against lesser opponents could lead to a damaging upset if the experienced players don’t elevate their game.
Short Summary
Illinois basketball extended its win streak to 10, powered by freshmen stars Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic. However, a closer-than-expected victory over Washington exposed a concerning lack of production from key upperclassmen. For the Illini to fulfill their top-10 potential, the veteran core must find consistency to support the phenomenal freshman duo.
