Brad Underwood criticizes Tomislav Ivišić

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood after watching it, he didn’t mince words Tomislav Ivišić produced one of his most complete performances of the season, strongly challenging what he believes is a misleading narrative about his star big man.

After Illinois’ 79-68 win over the Northwestern Wildcats, Underwood addressed recent criticism of Ivisic’s perceived inconsistency. Frustration boiled over as he explained how external narratives have failed to account for changing roles, health concerns and game-to-game adjustments within Illinois’ balanced offense.

“You say he’s been up and down. I’m just saying his roles have changed a little bit. It’s been different,” Underwood said, via VCIA’s Glenn Kinley. “You make more damn narratives that are full of s**t, but that’s what he does. That’s what he does. So, I mean, that’s why he was, he’s on draft boards. He’s, I mean, he’s big, you can make a cover with that.”

The coach also pointed out that Ivišić missed a significant amount of time in training after having his tonsils removed and battling strep throat.

“I felt bad for him because before that he had 16 days without practice with tonsils and a sore throat. Nobody (in our locker room) ever doubted Tommy … this team with this balance, the way teams want to cover us gave us that shot,” coach Underwood added.

Brad Underwood on Tomislav Ivišić: “You say he’s been up and down. I’m just saying his role has changed a little bit… You guys, more creative, more damn narratives that are full of sh*t… That’s what he does. He’s a big one who can take the cover off it… Nobody (in our locker room)… pic.twitter.com/c2JshpBUcF

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) January 15, 2026

Illinois’ offensive depth has been both a strength and a challenge this season. With multiple scorers able to take over on any given night, the moves for Ivisic varied. Through the first 16 games, the Illini rarely made a concerted effort to get the offense past the 7-foot-1 man, and that changed in Evanston.

Illinois made a clear emphasis on getting Ivisic involved early, and the response was immediate. He finished with 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting, hit four 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds, including three on the offensive glass. His involvement was notable beyond scoring, anchoring the defense and controlling the paint when Northwestern tried to rally.

Ivišić scored 14 points after halftime, including three of four three-pointers. and made timely baskets during a key run in the second half it helped Illinois regain control. His confidence was evident, as was the confidence of his teammates who watched him repeatedly when the defense collapsed.

Illinois doesn’t need to overhaul its offense to find Ivisic’s value. Simply prioritize him when matchups allowwithout disrupting the flow, it adds another dangerous layer to an already elite offense. If this performance marks a turning point, Underwood’s blunt defense of his center may soon look prophetic.