The most overlooked duo in college basketball plays in Champaign

The only thing better than a 7-foot Ivisic brother? Having two of them. The Illini are now reaping the benefits. 

On April 15, with a Bud Light in hand, Tomislav Ivisic announced his return to the Illini. It didn’t take much time for his teammate, and twin, Zvonimir to make the same announcement. A team that managed to return so much of its core potentially retained what could be the best center duo in all of college basketball. 

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A Year of Development

For the first time in their college careers, the Ivisic twins get a full offseason together. Not FaceTime, not two different countries, an actual summer in the same gym. The ability to have an offseason not distracted by the transfer portal or eligibility regulations is enormous for the development of two players who still haven’t reached their ceiling. 

Tomislav is heading into year three in Champaign, someone who’s already been through the eligibility saga, the tonsil surgery, the mono, and has still came out the other side as one of the most reliable bigs in the country. He knows the ins and outs, he knows the Big Ten, and he’s not walking into November trying to figure out where he fits into Tyler Underwood’s system. 

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Zvonimir is getting something he’s never had: a full offseason with one team. Kentucky, then Arkansas, then an arrival in Champaign. The majority of his college career has been a series of fresh starts. This is the first time he gets a true summer of development, under one of the best strength coaches in the country. Pair that with a brother who already knows the ropes, and you’ve got a center rotation that is very talented, but more importantly, is extremely comfortable. 

Two Styles of Game, One Complete Package 

To make Bill Raftery yell “Take me to the Balkans, please!”, is a compliment in itself. This is the exact excitement and absurdity that Zvonimir Ivisic brings to the court. A 7-footer who can run the floor like a wing, an asset that opens up Illinois’ offense like no…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/most-overlooked-duo-college-basketball-111500543.html

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Publish date : 2026-08-12 11:15:00

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