No. 17 Illinois Dominates Jackson State 113-55 in Season Opener

No. 17 Illinois Men's Basketball dominated Jackson State with a commanding 113-55 victory in their 2025-26 season opener, marking their 10th straight season-opening win. Freshman David Mirkovic led Illinois with 19 points and 14 rebounds, achieving a double-double before halftime, while Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic each scored 21 points. Illinois showcased outstanding shooting, hitting 17 three-pointers (52.6% in the first half) and outrebounding Jackson State 61-19 despite missing four key players due to injury. The Illini's fast start, including a 24-3 run in the opening seven minutes, set the tone for the game, with contributions from multiple players including freshman Keaton Wagler and junior Jake Davis. Jackson State struggled offensively, shooting just 30.6% and relying heavily on Devin Ree's 19 points and Daeshun Ruffin's 12 points, the latter being the SWAC preseason player of the year. Illinois' balanced attack and defensive pressure highlighted their potential even without a full roster, aiming to carry this momentum into tougher matchups ahead.