The Illinois Fighting Illini won their final exhibition contest against in-state foe the University of Illinois-Chicago, blitzing the Flames with 59 first-half points en route to a 101-66 win at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. 

Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks scored 10 points in 18 minutes of game action, shooting 4-10 from the field and dishing out five assists for coach Brad Underwood's team.

After the game, Vaaks was praised by Underwood for his team-first approach and hard work, as the Illini coach painted the picture of a player ready to make a leap in his first year on campus. 

Underwood acknowledged the Fighting Illini are depending on Vaaks to play a crucial role for their team this year heading into the season as the nation's No. 3 ranked team.

The Fighting Illini are expected to be without Preseason First-Team All-American David Mirkovic as he was spotted on a scooter recently and in a walking boot.  

"He watches so much film, shoots so many basketballs, he works so hard, he's trying to wear the Orange and Blue of Illinois, and be full fledged," Underwood said about Vaaks after Illinois' exhibition victory, to WCIA-3 Champaign. 

"And, you know, we're asking him to do a lot. And he's a great teammate, he cares, and to just get on the floor, sometimes, guys who score a lot of points...Don't do those things. And I'm not saying he's been that, but it's a tremendous tribute to him...He's bought into wearing our jersey."   

Vaask scored over 15 points per game with the Providence Friars in 2025-26 and has told media that he's better than ever heading into the season, with designs on scoring a lot of points.

He also told media after the UIC exhibition that he doesn't mind coming off the bench, something he did Wednesday night, allowing freshmen Ethan Brown and Quentin Coleman to start, and log heavy minutes. 

Vaaks' impact might not always be felt on the score sheet, but he is set to make life difficult on the Fighting Illini's opponents this season as one of the nation's best three-point shooters, a floor spacer who can also drive and get better shots when the defense starts to overplay him.  

Illinois will now have a few days off before preparing to face the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Nov. 2, a game that will give Vaaks a chance to announce himself as a potential star reserve against a team that finished 13-20 last season.