Nov. 2—Beat writer Scott Richey’s storylines
Illini getting somewhat healthier ahead of opener
Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic missed Illinois’ exhibition finale against UIC because of concussion protocol after hitting their heads in individual hard falls against Baylor. Lincoln Williams did play against the Flames after being injured the day before in practice, but only in the first half with no need to push him in what turned into a blowout. Stojakovic and Ivisic are expected to play against Fairleigh Dickinson, Illini coach Brad Underwood told reporters Sunday.
“I think Lincoln is questionable,” Underwood added. “(David Mirkovic) has been out (following offseason foot surgery), and he had a continued setback as he had appendicitis and his appendix removed (Saturday) night. We don’t know what that means. I can’t give you any further update than that. Obviously, means he won’t be in uniform.”
Vaaks is, in fact, fine coming off the bench
Stefan Vaaks came off the bench in all three of Illinois’ exhibitions. That role didn’t lessen the 6-foot-7 guard’s impact on the game. Vaaks averaged 15.3 points in those three October games to go with 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game. The Estonian sophomore shot 47 percent overall and 35 percent from three-point range, with the latter hampered by his 1 of 6 showing beyond the arc against UIC (where he put up five assists and three rebounds).
“I don’t care if I start or if I come off the bench,” said Vaaks, who was a part-time starter as a freshman at Providence. “Actually, for me, I feel like I play better when I come off the bench to be honest with you. This program is a winning program. I just listen to what (the coaches) tell me, and then the team and I will be successful. I just try to do everything they tell me.”
On-court discipline a primary focus as season starts
Underwood has a firm grasp on what to expect from Fairleigh Dickinson in Monday’s season opener. The Knights play a methodical style under fourth-year coach Jack Castleberry, who has six players returning, and they don’t make many mistakes defensively. What Underwood is more focused on, however, is his own team and how disciplined the Illini can play.
“It’s about becoming better and more consistent and more disciplined in what we’re doing,” Underwood said. “I think we’ve shown some growth in all areas. I’ve been really pleased with what we’ve done defensively since the Baylor exhibition. I think we’re making fewer mistakes in practice — I think we’re more attentive — but it all comes down to discipline. I didn’t love the second half of the UIC game. I thought we became very undisciplined. We got away from some of the things we were doing defensively with aggression, getting the ball out of the net quick, pushing the pace (and) making extra passes.”
The News-Gazette’s pick
No. 3 Illinois 95, Fairleigh Dickinson 69
Illinois proved it had more than enough firepower against a mid-major program in its exhibition finale against UIC where the Illini put up 101 points despite not having Stojakovic. With Stojakovic expected to return — plus Zvonimir Ivisic — Illinois will be closer to full health. Like when the Illini scored 105 points against Cincinnati and 91 against Baylor. The group Underwood will have available shouldn’t have any issue with Fairleigh Dickinson to officially start the 2026-27 season. (News-Gazette exhibition prediction record: 2-1)
Lineups
P Name Yr. Ht. PPG Hometown
G Quentin Coleman Fr. 6-4 14.7 O’Fallon
G Ethan Brown Fr. 6-4 11.3 Rolla, Mo.
G Andrej Stojakovic Sr. 6-7 19.5 Thessaloniki, Greece
F Jake Davis Sr. 6-6 10.0 McCordsville, Ind.
C Tomislav Ivisic 5th 7-1 9.7 Vodice, Croatia
FYI: Illinois had a candidate on four of five individual position award watch list ahead of the 2026-27 season. That list included Coleman (Jerry West Award), Stojakovic (Julius Erving Award), David Mirkovic (Karl Malone Award) and Ivisic (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award). Former Illini Keaton Wagler was last year’s Jerry West Award winner, and Ayo Dosunmu was the 2021 Bob Cousy Award winner.
P Name Yr. Ht. PPG Hometown
G Stefan Vaaks So. 6-7 15.7 Tabasalu, Estonia
C Jason Jakstys Jr. 6-10 3.0 Yorkville
F/C Zvonimir Ivisic 5th 7-2 2.5 Vodice, Croatia
Note: Scoring averages are from Illinois’ exhibitions
P Name Yr. Ht. PPG Hometown
G Raysean Johnson Jr. 6-1 4.6 Montgomery, N.Y.
G Vophcy Prophete Jr. 6-4 15.8 Orlando, Fla.
G David Jevtic So. 6-8 6.6 Belgrade, Serbia
F Austin Ratliff Jr. 6-7 11.8 Jackson, Miss.
F Pavle Stosic Jr. 6-10 3.6 Nis, Serbia
FYI: Jevtic was the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year last season for the Knights and made 10 starts in his 31 games played. He averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds and shot 33 percent from three-point range. Jevtic joined FDU after playing the 2024-25 season at KK Kolubara Lazarevac in Serbia’s top league.
P Name Yr. Ht. PPG Hometown
F Travis Torain Jr. 6-8 1.7 Surprise, Ariz.
F Bol Agu Sr. 6-8 2.7 Winnipeg, Alberta
G J.R. Jacobs Gr. 5-11 13.4 Memphis, Tenn.
Note: Scoring averages are from 2025-26 season
Details
Site: State Farm Center (15,544); Champaign.
Radio: Brian Barnhart (play-by-play) and former Illini Deon Thomas (analysis) will have the call on the Illini Sports Network on WDWS 1400-AM, WDWS 93.9 FM, WHMS 97.5-FM, WPXN 104.9-FM, WDAN 1490-AM, WDNL 102.1-FM, WSOY 1340-AM and WSOY 103.3-FM.
TV: Cory Provus (play-by-play) and former Illini coach Bruce Weber (analysis) have the call on BTN.
Series: Illinois leads 2-0.
Last meeting: Illinois won 104-71 on Dec. 29, 2023, in Champaign.
FYI: The only other matchup between Illinois and FDU came in the former’s run to the national championship game in 2005. It wasn’t exactly a first-round blowout, either, with the Illini turning a one-point halftime lead into a 67-55 victory behind Dee Brown’s team-high 19 points.
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