Each day for the two weeks leading up to Illinois’ regular season opener on Nov. 4 at Champaign’s State Farm Center, Illinois on SI will share a scouting report highlighting every Illini player listed on the official team roster. Today, in sixth of 14, we highlight forward Ben Humrichous.

Monday: Kasparas Jakucionis

More Illini scouting reports

Where he comes from

Ivisic is originally from Croatia and previously played several years of professional soccer in Montenegro – an issue that called his eligibility into question until just a few weeks ago. But he got the nod ahead of Sunday’s exhibition game at Ole Miss, demonstrating how his age (21), finishing and confidence gained from facing more mature competition in Europe can help alleviate the struggles of growth of the Illini.

What he did

In three years at SC Derby, Ivisic averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 69 games, which isn’t exactly stellar. game changer. But the European game behaves a little differently than NCAA hoops, especially for young people. Illini fans’ attention should be on the big man’s 36-minute averages at 20 in the Adriatic League (which launched Dario Saric, Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic in the NBA): 16.2 points (of 57 .4% shooting), 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks.

How it helps

In addition to his size and experience, the left-handed Ivisic brings cultivated skills, including advanced passing and a legitimate 3-point shot. He showed his value as a 5 against Ole Miss (2-for-3 from 3-point range) while scoring 12 points, six rebounds and shooting 5-for-6 from the field overall. Ivisic could prove to be a handful in pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop with elite freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, and he allows coach Brad Underwood to live the dream of playing penalty shootouts. five places.

What they say

Ivisic has been evaluated primarily for what he will bring to the Illini on the defensive end of the court, but Underwood raves about the dimension his new seven-footer provides on offense: “He’s a guy that opens up the floor and can take away defenders from the front of the rim,” Underwood said in May. “I’m just excited because I think he’s going to be a very, very, very talented offensive player who has great range and can shoot. »

At Illinois’ team media day, Ivisic said more with less. The only player to answer the question “Who takes the last shot on this team?” » he replied: “Me”.

Give him this: he’s not afraid.

What we are waiting for

Ivisic started against the Rebels and his performance gave Underwood no reason to reconsider. Opponents will give him the Kofi Cockburn treatment, forcing changes and testing Ivisic’s feet and defensive discipline. It won’t always be pretty. But the more mobile Carey Booth and Morez Johnson Jr. can provide relief to the situation, and if Ivisic can be a viable rim protector, rebounder, lob threat and perimeter shooter while being a bit slow on the switches , the Illini will be happy to give him 25+ minutes per game and let the chips fall where they may.

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