CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Sunday, overpowering Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball 71-51 behind a 25-point effort from David Mirkovic.
Illinois (21-5, 12-3 in the Big Ten Conference) seized control early and never relented, using its size and physicality to dominate the glass and wear down Indiana (17-9, 8-7).
Mirkovic continued his torrid stretch, scoring 15 of his 25 points in the first half. The sophomore knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the 13th time this season and added seven rebounds and three assists. It marked his ninth straight game in double figures and his third 20-point outing of the year.
Keaton Wagler added 18 points, six rebounds and three assists while collecting a career-high three steals. Wagler has now scored in double figures in 18 consecutive games and is averaging 20.7 points during that span. He is averaging 22.0 points per game in conference play and has reached double figures in all 15 Big Ten contests.
Tomislav Ivisic contributed 14 points and six rebounds, including four on the offensive end, helping Illinois build a decisive 15-4 advantage in second-chance opportunities.
The Illini outrebounded Indiana 38-25 overall and have now won the rebounding battle in 22 of 26 games this season. Illinois is 19-3 when controlling the glass.
Kylan Boswell returned to the starting lineup after missing seven games with a broken right hand and provided nine points and seven rebounds. His presence helped stabilize a lineup that had not started together since the season opener.
Illinois, playing its second straight game without injured forward Andrej Stojakovic, won its third consecutive meeting with Indiana and secured its largest home victory in the series since 2011.
The Illini improved to 13-2 at State Farm Center, where they are averaging 87.5 points per game with a scoring margin of plus-22.1. Sunday’s crowd of 15,544 marked the program’s ninth home sellout this season.
Illinois is off to its best 26-game start since the 2008-09 season and its strongest 15-game conference start since 2020-21.