Illinois entered Wednesday night's exhibition against UIC with several important players unavailable, but that didn't prevent the Fighting Illini from producing their most convincing preseason performance. Brad Underwood's team defeated the Flames 101-66 at State Farm Center, demonstrating impressive offensive balance while completing its exhibition schedule. The result was particularly encouraging because three important returners from last season's Final Four team did not participate.
David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic were all absent from the lineup, leaving Illinois without several players expected to contribute significantly this season. Rather than struggling to replace their production, the Fighting Illini received double-figure scoring from seven different players. That balance provided an encouraging indication of how many options Underwood could have once the regular season begins.
Seven scorers made Illinois difficult to defend
Tomislav Ivisic led Illinois with 14 points, while freshman Ethan Brown contributed 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jake Davis, Quentin Coleman, Stefan Vaaks, Zavier Zens and Lucas Morillo each finished with 10 points, giving Illinois a remarkable distribution of offensive production. The Fighting Illini didn't need one player to dominate the scoring column because contributions came from throughout the rotation.
Coleman also collected seven rebounds and distributed five assists, tying Vaaks for the team lead in the latter category. His performance came shortly after being named to the Jerry West Award preseason watch list, providing another encouraging development for a player expected to have an important role. Illinois' ability to create opportunities through several contributors made it difficult for UIC to establish a consistent defensive approach.
The Fighting Illini shot 54.4 percent from the field and connected on 15 three-pointers, demonstrating efficiency both inside and outside. Illinois also outrebounded UIC 44-30, creating additional opportunities while limiting the Flames' ability to generate second-chance possessions. Those advantages allowed the home team to build separation quickly and maintain control throughout the evening.
Two first-half runs ended the suspense
Illinois produced scoring runs of 13-0 and 16-0 during the first half, turning the exhibition into a one-sided contest before halftime. The Fighting Illini led 59-24 at the break, establishing a 35-point advantage through offensive efficiency and strong defense. UIC struggled to find consistent opportunities, particularly from the perimeter.
The Flames made only five of their 27 three-point attempts, finishing at 18.5 percent from beyond the arc. Illinois continued applying pressure after halftime, opening the second half with another significant scoring run that eventually extended its advantage to 46 points. The Fighting Illini reached a 74-28 lead before UIC managed to reduce the margin.
Although exhibition results don't count toward the official standings, the performance demonstrated how effectively Illinois can play when its offense is moving the basketball and generating quality attempts. The defensive effort was also encouraging following a preseason that included a 105-96 victory against Cincinnati and a 95-91 loss to Baylor.
The missing pieces make the performance more interesting
Perhaps the most significant takeaway involves the players who weren't on the court. Illinois produced 101 points without Mirkovic, Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic, demonstrating that Underwood has several options capable of contributing when the rotation changes. That depth could become particularly valuable during a demanding Big Ten schedule.
The challenge will be maintaining offensive chemistry when the available roster changes. Players who received additional opportunities Wednesday may have different responsibilities once Illinois returns to a fuller rotation. Underwood must determine how to distribute minutes while preserving the ball movement and balanced scoring that made the UIC performance so effective.
Illinois opens the regular season November 2 against Fairleigh Dickinson, carrying considerable expectations after last season's Final Four appearance. The Fighting Illini won't score 101 points every night, but Wednesday demonstrated that their offense doesn't necessarily depend on one or two players. If the depth continues developing, Illinois could have the flexibility required to compete with the nation's best teams.
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