Evan Miyakawa, creator of the popular analytics site EvanMiya.com, recently released his preseason rankings for the 2025–26 NCAA basketball season. Known as a go-to resource for advanced metrics, the site is widely respected across college basketball circles, much like KenPom and Bart Torvik.

Miyakawa’s preseason team and player rankings offered plenty of optimism for Illinois basketball and junior center Tomislav Ivišić, who is primed for a breakout year. Illinois checked in at No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, trailing only Purdue and Michigan.

When I spoke with Miyakawa, he noted that Illinois’ top 10 ranking hinges on the presence of Ty Rodgers in the lineup. Without Rodgers, who is battling a rumored serious knee injury, the Illini would slide to No. 13. Head coach Brad Underwood has confirmed Rodgers is out indefinitely, leaving his status uncertain.

While Illinois’ overall ranking is strong, the biggest spotlight shines on Ivišić. Miyakawa rated him as the No. 13 player in the country, the No. 4 player in the Big Ten, and the league’s top center entering the season. After a stop-and-start freshman year derailed by illness, he still managed to earn All-Big Ten Third Team honors from the media.

Despite battling mono, Ivišić averaged 13 points, a team-high 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, while recording 11 double-doubles and shooting a sharp 35.7% from three-point range. With improved health and another offseason of development, expectations are that those numbers will climb and that he will establish himself as one of the premier big men in college basketball.

Illinois’ offense will revolve around Ivišić this year. Look for him to feature prominently in pick-and-pop sets, facilitating from the top of the key, and stretching the floor with his outside shooting. While improving his post scoring and defensive presence remains a focus, he’s confident in the strides he’s made.

“I have been here for three months working every day. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life,” Ivišić said in July.

If his offseason work translates, Ivišić should challenge Oregon’s Nate Bittle for the title of best center in the Big Ten and cement himself as a First Team All-Big Ten selection by season’s end.