Notes: Ivisic's absence robs Illinois of a playmaker

CHAMPAIGN A lingering case of strep throat for Tomislav Ivisic meant the 17th-ranked Illinois mens basketball team was without one of its best facilitators Thursday night against Maryland.

A game the Illini ended up losing 91-70 to the Terrapins without Ivisic.

The 7-foot-1 center is third on the team in assists trailing only Kasparas Jakucionis and Kylan Boswell at two per game but was coming off a five-assist game at Michigan State and handed out four during last weeks convincing win at Indiana.

Ivisics ability to stretch the floor as a shooter helps make some of the passes he attempts easier to complete.

Defenders have to respect his jump shot and provide pressure on the perimeter, which opens up the floor for the rest of Ivisics teammates to operate.

Tomis an elite shooter thats a better passer than he is shooter, Illinois coach Brad Underwood said.

Facilitator.

Make guys better.

Have the opportunity to read situations.

Not just as a screener, but as a guy who can pop, as a guy who can pass out of the post (and) as a guy who can pass off the dribble.

The European guys the ones we have are elite because they can go with both hands passing.

Ivisic is arguably the perfect fit for the ball screen offense Underwood has shifted to this season, but the Vodice, Croatia, native would have been right at home in other offensive iterations of Illinois teams past.

Theres some of those (at Michigan State) that look guarded, but defenders have their heads turned, Underwood said.

Its what we used to teach when we ran Spread.

Just throw it.

You cant defend what you cant see.

Two or three of those were pretty well guarded, but defenders dont see the ball, and Tomi knows to throw them.

Hes just got a gift.

Hes got great touch, and, of course, his size at 7-1, he sees over a lot of people.

Ivisic is also Illinois leading rebounder and is currently sixth in the Big Ten hauling in 8.5 rebounds per game.

Right in between Marylands Julian Reese (8.7 rebounds) and Derik Queen (8.1 rebounds) before Thursday nights game played out.

While Ivisic is the Illinis most productive rebounder, seven different players were averaging at least 3.6 rebounds heading into Thursday nights game.

Team rebounding that has Illinois as the top rebounding squad in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country.

I think we have to bring it out in every team, Underwood said.

We had an idea (Morez Johnson Jr.) was a good rebounder and Tomi had size.

You had all of the intangible things you like in terms of being big.

Kylan (Boswell) has almost always played the point and been back a guy that gets back.

Were a team that wants our guards to defensive rebound.

We do five rebounding drills every day every single day so its a point of what we practice.

I would hope if anybody came to watch our practices and then watches us play they know why we do what we do because we practice certain things a lot.

Tre White and Will Riley were both listed as questionable before Thursdays game, but both played.

White was in the starting lineup, per usual, and Riley came off the bench in his typical role.

If not at 100 percent.

Riley flashed as one of Illinois best hard-shot makers in the first half of the season.

That was on display in Sundays game at Michigan State where the freshman forward set a new Big Ten-best with 19 points.

But Riley benefited from some easier looks, too, in flashing his full potential against the Spartans.

Hes a guy that has the ability, truly no matter who you put on him, to get to his spots, Underwood said.

Hes very unique in that way, and hes a really, really good hard-shot maker.

...

The good thing (at Michigan State) was his attacks on the rim with cuts.

He found some easy baskets.

I keep saying and keep telling Will his next level is when he enjoys getting fouled instead of trying to avoid getting fouled.

When he gets the mindset that theres so many free points at the foul line just by getting hit, taking a smack and playing off dead pivots.

Hell become one of the best offensive players in the country.

Jakucionis place in the top five of multiple mocks for the 2025 NBA draft includes the Illinois freshman slotted in at No.

4 in the first version of CBS Sports mock draft.

He has adjusted really quickly to the college game, Adam Finkelstein said on a recent podcast.

Finkelstein is director of scouting for 247Sports and a college basketball insider for CBS Sports.

What has impressed me about Kasparas is, the speed and the physicality of the college game, it is very typical we see international prospects try and have to adjust to that, Finkelstein continued.

Kasparas has gotten adjusted quicker than a lot of others.

I think that he has really picked it up.

If you look at his numbers minus the first three weeks of the season, they are absolutely off the charts.

Hes one of the best offensive guards already certainly in the freshman class; probably in the country.

Updated rankings for the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes were released this week by 247Sports.

Both of Illinois signees in the Class of 2025 received a slight bump in their overall ranking.

The Patrick School (N.J.) guard Brandon Lee further solidified his place as a top 100 prospect by moving to No.

93 overall in the latest rankings as a four-star recruit.

Shawnee Mission Northwest (Kan.) guard Keaton Wagler also a four-star recruit moved to No.

144 overall.

Its been a year of significant growth for Wagler as a prospect.

Last January, the 6-6 guard was ranked 211th in his class and dipped as low as 298th this past July.

Lee is in a similar boat, having been ranked 209th in the Class of 2025 last May before he fully broke out playing for NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit.

Illinois has offered multiple players ranked in the top 100 in the Class of 2026.

Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen, who plays at Compass Prep (Ariz.) tops that list at eighth overall, while North Tampa Christian Academy (Fla.) forward Toni Bryant is 10th.

Other targets of note include Westminster Academy (Fla.) forward Alex Constanza (No.

15), Blair Academy (N.J.) guard Deron Rippey Jr.

(No.

16) and Sunrise Christian (Kan.) forward Chidi Nwigwe.

Nwigwe was one of the big movers in 247Sports latest update.

The New Jersey native is in his first season at Sunrise Christian a regular prep powerhouse and moved up 14 spots to the No.

28 prospect in the class.

Once regarded as a top-15 prospect, Nwigwe is now starting to head back towards the top of the class, 247Sports Dushawn London wrote.

Nwigwe has great length and versatility at 6-foot-7.

His improved playmaking, shooting and boosted confidence are all key factors that are helping him get back on track and higher into the rankings.

SCOTT RICHEY.

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