Can Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic Propel Illinois to Victory?

In late January, Filmogaz.com contacted Illinois coach Brad Underwood about being one win shy of his 100th Big Ten victory. He downplayed the milestone and stayed focused on the season.

The No. 3-seeded Illini are 25-8. They meet No. 11 seed VCU, 28-7, in the NCAA second round on Saturday. Tip is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. on CBS 2.

Underwood is a ninth-year head coach pursuing his 300th Division I victory. A win would be his 191st at Illinois and would advance the team to the Sweet 16.

Milestones and tournament history

In that January exchange, Underwood reflected on major wins and one painful NCAA loss to Loyola. He noted his contract allows him to take bold swings. He also said the program still seeks a Final Four and a national championship.

Underwood’s first NCAA Tournament victory came in 2014 with Stephen F. Austin. The 12-seed Lumberjacks beat VCU 77-75 after Desmond Haymon completed a four-point play with 3.6 seconds left. Illinois had not faced VCU in the tournament before this matchup.

Freshmen carrying much of the load

Freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic anchor this Illini group. Wagler is a second-team All-American.

Wagler leads the team at 17.9 points per game and 4.5 assists. Mirkovic averages 13.8 points and eight rebounds per game. He scored 29 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a 105-70 win over Penn. Wagler added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in that game.

One of the two led Illinois in scoring in 17 of the last 25 games. Mirkovic has topped the scoring list in the last three outings.

Can Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic propel Illinois?

Supporting cast and matchup factors

Senior guard Kylan Boswell supplies veteran leadership. The Ivisic twins provide more than 14 feet of size inside.

Underwood trusts a deep rotation. Still, he says Illinois will go as far as Wagler and Mirkovic carry them.

VCU context and stakes

VCU rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit to beat sixth-seeded North Carolina, 82-78, in overtime. Guard Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 points in that comeback.

The winner advances to the Sweet 16. The next game will test the Illini’s young stars against a battle-tested Rams squad.

Chemistry and coach outlook

Underwood praised his veterans for accepting the young leaders. He said team chemistry is strong on and off the court. That bond matters as opponents grow tougher and the stakes rise.