Tomislav Ivisic is expanding into a guard-like role at Illinois

Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot-1 Illinois player, has shifted toward off-ball and perimeter play while remaining a screening and post threat; over the past six games he is 29-for-52 (55.8%) from the field.

Tomislav Ivisic has shifted how he is used by Illinois this season while keeping several familiar strengths. At 7-foot-1 he arrived as a shooter who could post up and serve in ball-screen actions. Expectations were that his usage might rise after Kasparas Jakucionis left, but freshman contributors and other rotation pieces changed those plans. In recent weeks Ivisic has settled into more perimeter-oriented, off-ball work while still setting screens and scoring inside. Key facts: - Ivisic is a 7-foot-1 Illini who was noted for his shooting, ability to post up, and role in ball-screen actions earlier in his Illinois career. - Over the past six games he has scored double digits in five contests and is 29-for-52 (55.8 percent) from the field; the one exception was a 40-point win over Northwestern in which he played 24 minutes. - Coach Brad Underwood and others report Ivisic is spending more time in space, cutting, driving closeouts and showing expanded playmaking and perimeter reads. - He continues to provide value as a screen setter and can roll or operate with his back to the basket when the offense calls for it. - The emergence of freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, along with contributions from Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, reshaped the team rotation and how Ivisic's role evolved. Summary: Ivisic's clarified role now combines off-ball perimeter movement and shooting with his established screening and post skills, and coaches say he is adapting to think more like a perimeter player. Undetermined at this time.