For twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić, helping Illinois to Final Four in reunion year an ‘incredible’ journey
INDIANAPOLIS — After Illinois’ Tomislav Ivišić hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key in an anxiety-inducing Elite Eight win over Iowa, the 7-foot-1 center backpedaled, raising his arms up and down in an effort to get the crowd riled up for a second-half surge. He didn’t need to tell brother Zvonimir to get excited though. Illinois’ 7-foot-2 center sprang to his feet off his chair the moment Tomislav caught the pass and brought the basketball up to shoot.
Zvonimir spread his never-ending arms out wide and brought them down in a celebratory boom. Two games earlier, Tomislav had a similarly exuberant reaction to Zvonimir’s monster dunk from the free-throw line in a second-round game against VCU, claiming afterward he was more excited than his brother. When one Ivišić brother makes a big play on the court, it’s usually worth a look to the Illini bench to see the reaction of the other.
The Croatian twins’ reunion at Illinois after two seasons playing apart means the Illini can most always have a 7-footer on the court, if wanted. It also means one is often watching the other one play from the bench, though both said they’re just happy to see the other succeed. “I’m a really excited guy when he’s on the court,” Zvonimir said.
“I want him to do his best all the time. I’m his No. 1 supporter definitely.
” Tomislav said he loves “seeing how excited he is, how much he can help us. Just seeing him happy on the court. ” The Ivišić brothers have had plenty to make them happy over the last month as they have helped Illinois to its first NCAA Tournament Final Four since 2005, which starts with a national semifinal against Connecticut at 5:09 p.
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