Illinois fans got a scare this week, but the latest update on Zvonimir Ivisic should ease some of the panic.
The 7-foot-12 center from Croatia is dealing with a hand injury he picked up while visiting his home country, and he’s currently wearing a wrap. Brad Underwood said Ivisic is not practicing right now, which immediately raised concern for a team that already had to absorb David Mirkovic’s offseason surgery on his left foot.
That’s the kind of news that can rattle a roster before the season even gets rolling. Illinois has plenty to feel good about after last year’s run to the Final Four - its first since 2005 - and the program is bringing back its top five players for another year of eligibility. But the injuries have taken some of the shine off an otherwise promising setup for 2026-27.
Ivisic’s role matters. He arrived from Arkansas as a four-star transfer and in his first season with Illinois put up 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game. The numbers weren’t flashy, but his value went beyond the box score, especially with the defensive work he gave the Illini during the NCAA tournament.
His size and mobility make him a key piece in the frontcourt rotation, and Illinois can use him at both power forward and center. That versatility gives Brad Underwood a useful change-of-pace option, particularly on the defensive end.
The good news is that this does not sound like a long-term problem. Tyler Underwood said Ivisic is expected to come out of the cast in the next couple of weeks, according to Carson Gourdie of WICS ABC 20.
With the regular season beginning in early November, Illinois still has time to get him back right. But with two important players already banged up before a game has been played, the Illini are definitely hoping both Ivisic and Mirkovic are fully healthy when the season starts.
In Other News...
Illinois Has A David Mirkovic Decision That Could Shape The Season
Illinois is still waiting on one of the more important health updates of its preseason, as forward David Mirkovic continues to work back from foot surgery he had at the end of July. He is out of his boot now and moving in the right direction, and Brad Underwood said the recovery has gone well so far while making clear the program is not rushing the process.
For an Illini team trying to build off a Final Four run, Mirkovics status matters because his availability could shape both the frontcourt rotation and the way the roster settles early in the season. Underwood has not put a timetable on the return, which leaves Illinois balancing optimism with patience as it waits to see how quickly Mirkovic can get fully healthy. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Transfer Already Added Some Edge To A Crucial Season
Stefan Vaaks did not waste any time settling into Illinois, and the sophomore transfer from Providence already sounds comfortable with the move. He has brushed off the chatter around his decision and appears focused on carving out a major role for a roster that needed help after some notable departures, with the Illini counting on him to occupy one of the most important openings on the team.
There is real pressure attached to that fit, because Illinois kept several starters in place and also brought in a five-star freshman, giving the group the look of a legitimate contender if the pieces come together. Vaaks does not need to be the headline, but he does need to be one of the reasons this season feels different, and his early edge suggests he is ready for that responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Brings A New Identity Into A Matchup Illinois Fears
When Illinois and Duke meet again in this nonconference rematch, the Blue Devils arrive with a different identity than the one the Illini may remember. Duke has moved toward a run-first attack built around sophomore Nate Sheppard, forcing opponents to spend more time bracing for the ground game and less time worrying about the passing script that often defines modern offenses.
For Illinois, that change creates a fresh defensive problem at a time when Bret Bielema is already asking his team to clean up its tackling. The Illini are also trying to protect quarterback Katin Houser, who was efficient in his debut, while Dukes defense will be looking to make his night uncomfortable. It is the kind of early-season matchup that can expose exactly where both teams are still sorting out who they are. [Read more 🡒]