A New Era for Illinois Basketball
Mihailo Petrovic has brought a unique blend of talent and energy to the Illinois basketball team, showcasing both his strengths and areas that need improvement. As a 22-year-old with professional experience, he’s still adjusting to college life after dealing with lower-body injuries and adapting to a new environment far from his home in Prokuplje, Serbia. While perfection may not be in the cards, his contributions have been significant.
Petrovic has provided an offensive spark that Illinois desperately needs, especially against strong defensive teams. The Illini are a talented group, but they haven’t fully realized their potential as a cohesive unit. They need a leader to bring everything together. Is Petrovic the right person for this role?
Why Illinois Should Start Mihailo Petrovic at Point Guard
Petrovic, averaging just 13.8 minutes across four games, has already proven himself as a difference-maker in transition and as a shot creator in the halfcourt. His speed and dynamic skills set him apart from other players on the team. Even though his size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) can be a challenge on offense, he often creates problems for opponents.
He appears to be a confident shooter, and his ball skills, vision, and timing are exceptional. His ability to find seams in a defense and set up open looks for teammates is something that can’t be taught. This makes the team harder to guard than it would be if they were playing iso ball or relying on random three-pointers.
The current Illinois offense features excellent individual talent but lacks creativity. Petrovic is the top triggerman in pick-and-roll situations, which is currently the only action in Brad Underwood’s playbook that can consistently break down a defense. His speed can score the Illini some cheap buckets when perimeter shots aren’t falling.
Why Illinois Shouldn’t Start Mihailo Petrovic at Point Guard
Despite his offensive abilities, Petrovic struggles defensively. His size makes him a target for mismatches, and there have been instances where communication issues with Ben Humrichous in pick-and-roll situations have cost the team.
Freshman Keaton Wagler, who has taken over as a temporary fill-in, might be a better option. He has been more effective as a scorer and ball protector, and he’s one of the Illini’s best rebounders. While Wagler’s numbers show variation against different opponents, the gap between him and Petrovic isn’t as wide as it seems.
Wagler’s defensive rating (102.8) is slightly better than Petrovic’s (105.4), and he has averaged a combined 1.1 steals and blocks. However, he hasn’t outperformed Petrovic on that end.
The Illinois on SI Verdict: Should Mihailo Petrovic Be Starting?
The short answer is no – or at least, not yet. With Tennessee coming up, Petrovic will face a tough challenge, and Wagler deserves another chance against a top opponent. Underwood needs to be ready to turn the keys over to Petrovic when needed, whether by starting him or bringing him off the bench when the offense struggles.
Petrovic has shown he’s the best choice to synthesize the talents of this Illinois group. If the offense continues to struggle against the Volunteers, it will make sense to get the Illini marching to the beat of his drum starting with Ohio State next Tuesday.
