Illinois Basketball Updated Injury Statuses

Head coach Brad Underwood confirmed that Zvonimir Ivisic has returned to practice while David Mirkovic remains sidelined.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Basketball

Illinois Basketball Updated Injury Statuses

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood provided injury updates on players Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic ahead of the upcoming season. Ivisic has returned to team practices, while Mirkovic continues to recover from a foot injury.

Why it matters

Managing player availability is critical for the Illinois basketball program as it prepares for exhibition games and the impending regular season start. Coaches must assess roster health to determine rotation strategies before competitive play begins.

Zvonimir Ivisic successfully completed a one-mile run in 5:20 during his recovery from a summer hand injury. David Mirkovic is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a foot injury with an exam set for early next week.

The players

Brad Underwood

He serves as the head coach of the Illinois men's basketball team.

Zvonimir Ivisic

He is a basketball player for the Illinois team who recently returned to practice.

David Mirkovic

He is a member of the Illinois basketball roster currently recovering from a foot injury.

The details

Zvonimir Ivisic has officially resumed participating in team practice sessions following his hand injury. David Mirkovic is still being monitored for his foot injury, and staff will gain more clarity after a medical exam early next week.

David Mirkovic undergoes a medical exam early next week.
Illinois plays an exhibition game at Cincinnati on October 17, 2026.
The regular season begins against Farleigh Dickinson on November 2, 2026.

Season Trajectory

These health updates are essential for maintaining the competitive balance of the Illinois roster as it navigates the preseason. The team's ability to integrate healthy players before the start of the 2026-2027 NCAA men's basketball season will dictate its early rotation depth.

The return of Zvonimir Ivisic to practice sessions indicates a potential increase in rotation availability for the upcoming exhibition schedule. David Mirkovic remains sidelined until his medical evaluation, impacting his availability for early-season lineup rotations.

The takeaway

Maintaining roster health during the preseason is a vital aspect of setting a trajectory for a successful college basketball campaign. Fans should monitor the outcome of the medical examination for David Mirkovic as an indicator of his readiness for the regular season opener.

What happens next

The team will play a road exhibition game against Cincinnati on October 17, 2026, followed by two home exhibition games, before opening the regular season against Farleigh Dickinson on November 2, 2026.