The Illini coaching staff is currently assessing how much responsibility to place on Zvonimir Ivisic as they navigate a potential absence of David Mirkovic.
Ivisic’s statistical footprint shows he performs best in short bursts, having averaged 11.7, 19.1 and 17.2 minutes across his three college seasons, and he has only cracked the 30‑minute mark four times in his career.
His shooting efficiency drops noticeably when his minutes climb, illustrated by a 2‑for‑7 free‑throw showing in five games where he logged over 30 minutes, suggesting fatigue can erode his accuracy.
If Mirkovic remains out, the team could move Ivisic into a starter’s role, asking him to guard perimeter players, set more screens and become a more frequent offensive option, but that would also demand sustained defensive intensity.
Alternatively, the staff may keep him in a limited, energy‑conserving role, using him primarily as a finisher and rebounding specialist to preserve his defensive impact.
Strategic outlook for the Illini
The decision will hinge on whether Ivisic can handle the physical grind of extended minutes while maintaining the defensive hustle that has defined his contributions.
Should he succeed, the Illini could see a boost in both interior presence and perimeter versatility, positioning them closer to a potential national title run; if not, the team may need to reshuffle lineups and rely on less‑tested options.