John Calipari credits fans, billboard for getting Zvonimir Ivisic eligible

Zvonimir Ivisic had Big Blue Nation on their feet early and often during his Kentucky debut against Georgia on Saturday.

He finished the game with 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 16 minutes off the bench. A trio of three-pointers, a behind-the-back no-look pass that resulted in a made three from Antonio Reeves and more had BBN rocking inside Rupp Arena from their new Croatian big man’s performance.

Head coach John Calipari couldn’t say enough about the fans inside the arena on Saturday, and complimented them on their unwavering support in getting Ivisic, affectionately known as Big Z, eligible from the NCAA.

“Somebody told me they put up a billboard. That probably worked,” Calipari said postgame. “That’s aggressive. Our fans — how about our fans in this building today? Look, here’s what I would tell our fans. I love our fans. Everywhere we go, that’s what the building is like. The building we play on the road is just like [Rupp Arena]. And I’m saying when we play, [the fans should] just come and bring it, like you did today. It was ridiculous.

“And I know some of it was [Ivisic] made a shot and everybody was standing and dancing and all of that.”

News of Ivisic’s eligibility came out early on Saturday ahead of the 105-96 win over the Bulldogs. Ivisic sent out a video via social media letting BBN know that he would be suiting up against Georgia, but Calipari peeled back the curtain and revealed how Big Z reacted to the news himself.

“He was ecstatic,” Calipari revealed. “And it was only a few of us there. The team had left. So, you know, we sent them a message and let him send it out. But it was — he was all smiles. He’s got a ways to go. But he’s — you know, I told them, do you know why he was wide open? Because they didn’t think he could shoot three’s. They hadn’t seen him ever play. It was a good start for him. And, you know, it took a long, Long time, but I appreciate the work everybody did to make it happen.”

Whether Ivisic can continue to dazzle college basketball with his European style remains to be seen, but he managed to capture the hearts of Kentucky fans across the Bluegrass in 16 minutes.

Next up, Ivisic won’t have the comfort of BBN cheering him on — although some Kentucky fans are bound to get in — against South Carolina on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.