Zvonimir Ivisic stats: How many points did the Arkansas player score vs Kansas in an exhibition game?
Zvonimir Ivisic is taking advantage of the second opportunity given to him by Arkansas coach John Calipari, months after a disappointing freshman season with Kentucky.
The seven-foot-two Croatian center played 30 minutes in the Arkansas Razorbacks' 85-69 exhibition game win over the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday and tallied 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Ivisic, who played most of his minutes at center due to Jonas Aidoo's injury, was 5-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-5 from the 3-point line, and a 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Big Z's performance was a sign of things to come for Arkansas, which is seeded No. 16 in the AP preseason poll. Ivisic was effective on the floor for the Razorbacks at the center spot, knocking down jumpers and swatting away Kansas' attempts in the shaded area.
He had a limited role in his freshman season with the Wildcats, where he played for 15 games and averaged an efficient 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 11.7 minutes per game.
Ivisic enlisted himself in the transfer portal following Calipari's resignation from Kentucky. The veteran coach picked him up to play for Arkansas along with DJ Wagner and Adou Thiero.
Zvonimir Ivisic's stats against Kansas show Arkansas' intentions for 2024-25 season
Zvonimir Ivisic was one of the vital contributors in Arkansas' exhibition game over preseason No. 1 seed Kansas. He took advantage of the Jayhawks' lack of sturdy presence in the paint, with preseason All-American center Hunter Dickinson not playing for the benefit clash at the Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
“Z showed some stuff, but he still has work to do,” Calipari said (per Fayetteville Flyer). “I mean, there are times you look at him and say, ‘Geez, he’s ridiculous.’ And then other times you’re like, ‘Why is he standing straight up and down?’ And then he cramped up because he’s never worked that hard.”
Calipari understands that Ivisic is still developing but his amazing game presented a new dimension in the Razorbacks' offense. College basketball fans will expect to see more of this when the 2024-25 season starts in a week.
Ivisic's range frees up guards DJ Wagner Jr. and Boogie Fland from operating inside. Although this is a tuneup game, Wagner and Fland went flying off the gates, scoring 24 and 22 points, respectively.
The Razorbacks jumped to an early 25-17 advantage and never looked back to secure a morale-boosting win, which sets John Calipari's coaching run at Fayetteville on a positive tone.
Arkansas will be back for another exhibition game on Nov. 1 against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, before opening their non-conference regular season campaign opposite Lipscomb on Nov. 6.