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Aug. 4—Zvonimir Ivisic played Illinois' national semifinal game against Connecticut at 28 pounds. The 7-foot-2 center will close out the Illini's summer workouts this week weighing in at 265 pounds after an offseason geared to getting bigger.
"I feel pretty good," Ivisic said. "I'm not going to lie. My knees haven't been a problem. I feel fast. I feel strong."
The goal to packing on an effective 17 pounds?
"Pancakes for breakfast," Ivisic said. "Pancake and eggs. That's most important. I'm at two pancakes. A lot of eggs, strawberries and a lot of pancakes."
Ivisic averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last season for Illinois after transferring from Arkansas. The Vodice, Croatia, native had followed John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas after starting his college career with the Wildcats.
Spending a second year in Champaign — a second season with his twin brother, Tomislav — was an important factor in his decision to return to Illinois for the 2026-27 season.
"We talked about it a lot," Ivisic said about the conversations he had with his brother before announcing their return. "Obviously, we wanted to stay together, and we trusted the coaches. We were satisfied with how we played and how we improved last season. We wanted to do that for one more year. We trusted the coaches with that, and they trust us.
"I feel way more comfortable not switching schools and getting used to new people, new staff and new teammates around. I already know everybody. I feel way more comfortable and confident with no stress."
Continue reading...
"I feel pretty good," Ivisic said. "I'm not going to lie. My knees haven't been a problem. I feel fast. I feel strong."
The goal to packing on an effective 17 pounds?
"Pancakes for breakfast," Ivisic said. "Pancake and eggs. That's most important. I'm at two pancakes. A lot of eggs, strawberries and a lot of pancakes."
Ivisic averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last season for Illinois after transferring from Arkansas. The Vodice, Croatia, native had followed John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas after starting his college career with the Wildcats.
Spending a second year in Champaign — a second season with his twin brother, Tomislav — was an important factor in his decision to return to Illinois for the 2026-27 season.
"We talked about it a lot," Ivisic said about the conversations he had with his brother before announcing their return. "Obviously, we wanted to stay together, and we trusted the coaches. We were satisfied with how we played and how we improved last season. We wanted to do that for one more year. We trusted the coaches with that, and they trust us.
"I feel way more comfortable not switching schools and getting used to new people, new staff and new teammates around. I already know everybody. I feel way more comfortable and confident with no stress."
Continue reading...
