Illinois basketball dazzled in the first round of the NCAA tournament, as Penn didn’t have answers.
The leader of the pack for the Illini was David Mirkovic. From the opening tipoff, he was the energy that Illinois needed. His leadership and tenacity drove the program to a monumental victory over the Quakers.
No, this wasn’t the toughest team in the world, but the numbers that were put up by Mirkovic and the Illinois basketball program rewrote the record book.
Illinois put up 105 points against Penn. That is the most by an Illini team in the history of the NCAA tournament. The previous high scoring total was 96 points in 2001 against Northwestern State. We also scored 65 points in the second half, crushing the single-game record for most points in a half in an NCAA tournament game, which was 53 points.
The list of achievements for the team goes on and on. The winning margin of 35 points is second all-time. Illinois made 37 field goals, which is third all-time. We made 15 three-pointers, which is second all-time. The Illini pulled down 48 rebounds, which is fourth all-time.
Those are just the team records that need to be rewritten. Mirkovic has his own list you can go down.
Mirkovic dropped 29 points, and that is the fourth most ever by an Illinois player in the NCAA tournament. He made 11 field goals, which is third all-time.
The 17 rebounds Mirkovic pulled down are the most any Illinois player has ever had in an NCAA tournament game. Let that soak in. Not James Augustine. Not Brian Cook. Not Roger Powell. It is Mirkovic who owns the record now.
Not to mention, the double-double that Mirkovic racked up on Thursday night lands him fifth on the most NCAA tournament double-doubles for the Illini.
Illinois basketball is being lifted by two freshmen who are carrying this program
Mirkovic’s night is one for the ages. His 29 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists were incredible. This kid has all of the talent in the world, and we are just scratching the surface.
Let’s not forget, Mirkovic is only listed as a freshman. He still has plenty of time in the college ranks if he wants to stick around.
Illinois’ freshman duo of Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler lifted the team to great heights on Thursday night. It is crazy that Wagler’s night of 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists is going without any hype. That is a massive game from a senior, let alone a freshman.
This was an impressive performance by the Illini. We played our A+ game against Penn. Let’s continue that play and see how far we can take this thing.