For the Illinois basketball team to have success in the 2025-2026 season, they will have to depend on big man Tomislav Ivisic.
Ivisic's key contributions both offensively and defensively, paired with his necessity to be a strong leader among new faces, make him an important cog in the Illini winning this season.
The dynamic play on the offensive side of the ball made Ivisic one of Illinois' most consistent players last season. His massive 7-foot-1, 230-pound frame made him a dominant force in the paint, allowing him to average 13.0 points per game with a 49.2% field goal percentage.
However, it is his success outside of the arc that makes Ivisic truly special. For someone of his size, shooting 35.7% from three-point range is unique.
This scoring versatility makes Ivisic one of the biggest producers for the Illini offense. Defenders have to respect his shot from anywhere on the court, which will create a lot of time and space for his teammates.
Moreover, Ivisic’s profound presence on the defensive side impacts Illinois’ game. Averaging 5.9 defensive rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season, he was a solid defensive force.
This piece is so important to the Illini, most notably in the transition game. For an offense that was at its best when it was scoring on the fastbreak, Ivisic was, and still very much is, a leading contributor to that success.
Perhaps more importantly, however, is the experience and leadership Ivisic can now bring to this reshaped roster. With incoming transfers and European players looking to have big roles, Ivisic must be a source of expertise and stability.
A new team means a lot of adjustments for these new players. Having someone in Ivisic who comes from the same background as them and has shared experiences forms a bond early on.
This can help lessen the struggles they may face during the start of the season, which is especially important given Illinois' tough non-conference schedule.
Stacking up wins at the start really works to build a strong tournament resume, and Ivisic will be a huge component of that. Although Ivisic may not be the most skilled player on the roster, the Illini will go as he goes.