CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Thanksgiving matchup between Arkansas and Illinois has a different story than two NCAA powerhouses meeting up. Croatian twins Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivišić will face off in a college game for the first time. Both 7-footers bring a versatile skill set to their respective teams, with Zvonimir excelling as Arkansas’ center and Tomislav thriving as Illinois’ forward. Their head-to-head battle at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center will showcase not just their rivalry but also their shared passion for basketball, a sport they embraced in a soccer-loving nation.
Zvonimir’s ability to stretch the floor with a 56.5% success rate from beyond the arc contrasts with Tomislav’s dominance in the paint, where he averages 15.5 points and a 58.7% shooting percentage. Despite these differences, the twins share a similar mix of shooting and post-play skills.
As the game tips off at 3 p.m., their parents will cheer from Croatia, where it will already be nighttime. The stakes are high for family bragging rights, but Zvonimir humorously insists he’s always been the better player in their one-on-one battles.
With both Arkansas and Illinois entering the game at 5-1, this national stage offers a chance for each team—and each twin—to make a strong impression. Fans across the U.S. (and in Croatia) will savor this sibling rivalry.