For the second time since Brad Underwood took over the program, the Illinois Fighting Illini have advanced to the Sweet 16, and the excitement and pride have undoubtedly coursed through the veins of every player on the team.
When freshman forward David Mirkovic was asked about it, he perfectly summed up the emotions that everyone had been feeling since their 21-point win over VCU in the second round.
"When I saw those ads that are saying 'Sweet 16,' and when I saw the team working out in an NBA arena, I just got goosebumps," Mirkovic said. "It's just such a beautiful feeling, this is why we play basketball, and this is the moment we prepared for the whole season
Illinois Fighting Illini are excited for the battle against Houston
The Illini, of course, are set to take on the No. 2-seed Houston Cougars in Houston in the Sweet 16, which could easily turn into a clash of titans.
Despite the odds and the location not being in their favor, Illinois and Underwood are far from backing down from the occasion.
"Not just me. Everyone is excited for this," Mirkovic said.
It seems like every Illini that people have spoken to is just as excited, if not more so, than the last teammate. From Mirkovic to Kylan Boswell to Keaton Wagler to Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois is playing its best basketball at the best time possible.
"I just got goosebumps... this is why we play basketball."
— Jake Bedell (@JakeBedellTV) March 25, 2026
David Mirkovic isn't numb to the fact the Illini are in the Sweet 16. The stakes are still the same as week one, but the further Illinois goes, the more it means to players.#Illini | @IlliniMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sLTXoJCItZ
Alongside the rest of his teammates, Mirkovic has earned his place in the Sweet 16, putting on absolute clinics through Illinois's first two games of the NCAA Tournament.
Against the Penn Quakers, in the first round, Mirkovic recorded an astounding 29 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists. Against VCU in the second round, he earned seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
No. 3-seed Illinois and No. 2-seed Houston are scheduled to tip off at 9:05 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 26, and the game will be aired on TBS and truTV. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight, where they will face the winner of Nebraska versus Iowa.