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Let's continue with my countdown of my 30 favorite Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players of my fandom, spanning from the 1996-97 season until present day. Here are numbers 30-19.
Last week the college basketball world was taken aback by the actions of LSU Head Basketball Coach Will Wade, who secured the commitment of an Israeli basketball player named Yam Madar to the Tigers. Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 47th pick in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, Madar is already 25 years old and will turn 26 during December of this year.
As many college basketball pundits criticized Wade, LSU fans naturally stood up for their disgraceful coach. I heard one LSU YouTuber say that if Brad Underwood can bring in international players, it's okay, but when Will Wade does it, it's a crime. Sadly, the names of all of the Illini's international players were thrown into this LSU fan's discussion, including center Tomislav Ivisic, my 18th favorite Illinois men's basketball player of my fandom.
Ultimately, I found the LSU fan's comments so disingenuous, especially when invoking big Tomi, who came to Illinois as a 21-year-old sophomore and will be completing his final season at the age of 24. Unlike Madar, who is being used to circumvent the rules at a $5 million price tag, Ivisic will be completing his third season at Illinois and leaving at a reasonable age.
In other words, big Tomi is not just some rental player like Madar. He has been a key part of the Illini culture the past two seasons, helping Illinois get back to a Final Four last season and returning next season with bigger team goals in mind.
When Tomi announced on May 15th with his twin brother Zvonimir and good friend Jake Davis that they would be returning to Illinois next season, I couldn't have been happier. I wrote a piece about what Tomi's return means for the Illini. I highly suggest you read it as it explains why Ivisic is one of my favorite Illini of all time:
In short, Tomi is the quiet soul of the Illini, a big man who made a lot of sacrifices during a difficult sophomore season but came up big when Illinois needed him most during the NCAA Tournament. In my opinion when Ivisic is playing well, Illinois is pretty much unbeatable. He could be the most important player on the team next season if Illinois is going to get back to a Final Four.
As Illinois lost to UCONN during the Final Four, big Tomi walked off the court, with tears in eyes, showing a kid who cares about being an Illini. Tomi is hardly some mercenary being employed for the biggest payout possible but rather someone with a lot of sweat equity invested in the program.
LSU fans can rationalize Wade's actions all they want, just don't compare your situation to big Tomi!
As many college basketball pundits criticized Wade, LSU fans naturally stood up for their disgraceful coach. I heard one LSU YouTuber say that if Brad Underwood can bring in international players, it's okay, but when Will Wade does it, it's a crime. Sadly, the names of all of the Illini's international players were thrown into this LSU fan's discussion, including center Tomislav Ivisic, my 18th favorite Illinois men's basketball player of my fandom.
Ultimately, I found the LSU fan's comments so disingenuous, especially when invoking big Tomi, who came to Illinois as a 21-year-old sophomore and will be completing his final season at the age of 24. Unlike Madar, who is being used to circumvent the rules at a $5 million price tag, Ivisic will be completing his third season at Illinois and leaving at a reasonable age.
In other words, big Tomi is not just some rental player like Madar. He has been a key part of the Illini culture the past two seasons, helping Illinois get back to a Final Four last season and returning next season with bigger team goals in mind.
When Tomi announced on May 15th with his twin brother Zvonimir and good friend Jake Davis that they would be returning to Illinois next season, I couldn't have been happier. I wrote a piece about what Tomi's return means for the Illini. I highly suggest you read it as it explains why Ivisic is one of my favorite Illini of all time:
In short, Tomi is the quiet soul of the Illini, a big man who made a lot of sacrifices during a difficult sophomore season but came up big when Illinois needed him most during the NCAA Tournament. In my opinion when Ivisic is playing well, Illinois is pretty much unbeatable. He could be the most important player on the team next season if Illinois is going to get back to a Final Four.
As Illinois lost to UCONN during the Final Four, big Tomi walked off the court, with tears in eyes, showing a kid who cares about being an Illini. Tomi is hardly some mercenary being employed for the biggest payout possible but rather someone with a lot of sweat equity invested in the program.
LSU fans can rationalize Wade's actions all they want, just don't compare your situation to big Tomi!
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