Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot-1 second-year junior from Croatia, is arguably the Illini’s best returning player for this coming season. He was a huge factor for the team last season, averaging 13 points, 7.7 rebounds, as well as 2.3 assists per game. The Illini fan base, as well as the coaching staff, were both very happy to hear he would not be putting his name in the NBA Draft this offseason and decided to return for at least another year.
Last year’s team, although inconsistent at times, had plenty
of fire power offensively. This was especially true with Tomislav Ivisic on the floor. Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis were both amazing offensively at times last season. But, I tend to believe Ivisic was the most consistent as well as the most valuable player on last year’s team. In the games he missed due to injuries and sickness, you could tell how much the team had missed his presence on both ends of the floor.
With Ivisic on the floor for the Illini, it opens up so much offensively.
His passing ability, paired with good passing, good touch around the rim, and a jumper that forces defenders out on the perimeter raised the Illini’s ceiling offensively and also make him a perfect modern big man. You can see why there was already NBA speculation last season when watching him play. It will be intriguing to watch him operate offensively this season now that the Illini have re-loaded again offensively.
Although Ivisic was just a honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last year from the media, I would not be surprised at all to see him voted First-Team this year, even considering how loaded the center position will potentially be in the Big Ten. I’d even go a step further and state that I would not call you crazy if you told me he was going to win Big Ten player of the year this season.
He has that type of skill set offensively and if the Illini have major regular season success it likely won’t be out of the question.
I am truly excited to watch how he performs with so much new talent around him.
