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Entering last season, Tomislav Ivisic figured to be the most important player on the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Coming off two outstanding games against Xavier and Kentucky during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Ivisic had seemingly found his stride at the end of his first season in college basketball, showing NBA promise with his ability to shoot the three ball and stretch a defense.
With freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley off to the NBA, Ivisic figured to get his fair share of offensive touches during his second season in Champaign. Unfortunately, year two with the Illini did not go as planned for Tomi, though he would respond when it mattered most during the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to dealing with early season injuries, Ivisic had to sacrifice his role as the season went on, with once-in -a-generation freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic becoming the main initiators of the Illini offense.
Too often, Big Tomi was left to screen and pop, and hopefully hit an open three. By the end of the season, many Illini fans were wondering what was wrong with Tomislav, who did not look like the same player as last year. His shot was flat, the energy seemed to be lacking, and Tomi was just off, so much so that I was worried that he may be done with college basketball after the season.
And then came the NCAA Tournament, when Tomi rediscovered his game and looked like his old self:
By the end of the NCAA Tournament, several things were clear:
On Wednesday night, Tomi announced that he will be returning to Illinois for his senior season, a much-anticipated swan song. While David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were/are top priorities of retention, Tomi's return is just as important.
Tomi's size is a must within the physical Big Ten while his shooting ability allows the Illini to space out the offense and open up driving lanes. More importantly, Ivisic is a core part of this Illini program; entering his third year in Champaign, he is a major component of this team's selfless chemistry and winning culture. While other guys get more shine, Tomi is the quiet, steadying presence who may be overlooked but is just important as any Illini player.
With Wagler gone to the NBA, Tomi should be featured more within the Illini offense next season, beyond just shooting three pointers. If March taught us anything, it's that Tomi needs to get more post touches. He looked so more comfortable down low in his second season of college basketball, and was highly efficient in close. Now Tomi doesn't need the highest usage, just feeding him on the block a handful of times a game will lead to easy baskets as no opponent has shown the ability to stop him from getting to his left-handed half hook or layup.
It will be crucial that the Illini do not let Tomi get lost in the offense next season as happened a bit too much this year. One way to keep Tomi engaged is to utilize his passing ability. Ivisic is a highly skilled big who can initiate offense while posting on the block or facing up from the free throw line area. I certainly haven't forgotten that behind-the-back pass to Riley at Northwestern two seasons ago!
Additionally, Ivisic committed to rebounding and defending during the NCAA Tournament, which raised the team's ceiling. If Tomi can bring such effort next season, Illinois is going to have a legitimate chance to make another deep run in March.
In many ways, Ivisic is the old soul of this Illini team, a gentle giant who is happy to go along and defer to his teammates. However, when Tomi is motivated, he is a challenge to handle, making the Illini an even more imposing team.
Here's hoping that the Tomi of this March is the Tomi of next season.
Tomi sacrificed a lot last season and is due for a big bang during his final year of college basketball.
It is certainly exciting to have one more year of "The Original Balkan," who will go down as one of the more important, underrated and lovable players in program history.
Coming off two outstanding games against Xavier and Kentucky during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Ivisic had seemingly found his stride at the end of his first season in college basketball, showing NBA promise with his ability to shoot the three ball and stretch a defense.
With freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley off to the NBA, Ivisic figured to get his fair share of offensive touches during his second season in Champaign. Unfortunately, year two with the Illini did not go as planned for Tomi, though he would respond when it mattered most during the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to dealing with early season injuries, Ivisic had to sacrifice his role as the season went on, with once-in -a-generation freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic becoming the main initiators of the Illini offense.
Too often, Big Tomi was left to screen and pop, and hopefully hit an open three. By the end of the season, many Illini fans were wondering what was wrong with Tomislav, who did not look like the same player as last year. His shot was flat, the energy seemed to be lacking, and Tomi was just off, so much so that I was worried that he may be done with college basketball after the season.
And then came the NCAA Tournament, when Tomi rediscovered his game and looked like his old self:
- During a first round game against Penn, Tomi rebounded from a scoreless first half with nine points in the second half, scoring a few buckets on the block and hitting a three.
- In a second round victory against VCU, Ivisic started the game with an offensive tap in and nasty two-handed block at the rim, setting the tone for an Illini defense, not offense, that would carry the team to the Final Four.
- En route to an upset of Houston in the Sweet Sixteen, Ivisic hit a timely three to keep the Illini up in the second half.
- Against Iowa in the Elite Eight, Tomi scored back-to-back buckets in the post to help the Illini finally get some distance against the Hawkeyes.
- Versus UCONN during the Final Four, Ivisic hit a three to give Illinois its only lead of the game, 22-21, and was aggressive driving the ball to the rim during a second half when the Illini just couldn't get the ball to drop in the hole.
By the end of the NCAA Tournament, several things were clear:
- Tomislav was back to his old self.
- The Illini would not have made this run without his full contributions.
- When Tomi is involved, engaged and playing well, Illinois is a very hard team to beat.
On Wednesday night, Tomi announced that he will be returning to Illinois for his senior season, a much-anticipated swan song. While David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were/are top priorities of retention, Tomi's return is just as important.
Tomi's size is a must within the physical Big Ten while his shooting ability allows the Illini to space out the offense and open up driving lanes. More importantly, Ivisic is a core part of this Illini program; entering his third year in Champaign, he is a major component of this team's selfless chemistry and winning culture. While other guys get more shine, Tomi is the quiet, steadying presence who may be overlooked but is just important as any Illini player.
With Wagler gone to the NBA, Tomi should be featured more within the Illini offense next season, beyond just shooting three pointers. If March taught us anything, it's that Tomi needs to get more post touches. He looked so more comfortable down low in his second season of college basketball, and was highly efficient in close. Now Tomi doesn't need the highest usage, just feeding him on the block a handful of times a game will lead to easy baskets as no opponent has shown the ability to stop him from getting to his left-handed half hook or layup.
It will be crucial that the Illini do not let Tomi get lost in the offense next season as happened a bit too much this year. One way to keep Tomi engaged is to utilize his passing ability. Ivisic is a highly skilled big who can initiate offense while posting on the block or facing up from the free throw line area. I certainly haven't forgotten that behind-the-back pass to Riley at Northwestern two seasons ago!
Additionally, Ivisic committed to rebounding and defending during the NCAA Tournament, which raised the team's ceiling. If Tomi can bring such effort next season, Illinois is going to have a legitimate chance to make another deep run in March.
In many ways, Ivisic is the old soul of this Illini team, a gentle giant who is happy to go along and defer to his teammates. However, when Tomi is motivated, he is a challenge to handle, making the Illini an even more imposing team.
Here's hoping that the Tomi of this March is the Tomi of next season.
Tomi sacrificed a lot last season and is due for a big bang during his final year of college basketball.
It is certainly exciting to have one more year of "The Original Balkan," who will go down as one of the more important, underrated and lovable players in program history.
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