Zvonimir Ivisic felt ‘really nervous’ entering first college game

Zvonimir Ivisic’s debut is the stuff of legend, making for a day that will go down immediately in Kentucky hoops lore, like Jodie Meeks‘ 53 at Tennessee, Tayshaun Prince’s five threes vs. Carolina or Malik Monk’s Vegas outburst.

Big Z — as he’s known by fans — entered midway through the first half and put together a string of plays that folks in Rupp Arena will remember forever. He blocked a shot within his first minute of play, then tossed a behind-the-back pass to Antonio Reeves for a made 3. He also knocked down three 3s and a long two himself, and even did the Michael Jordan shrug after one of them.

You would have never guessed it, but the swashbuckling Croatian admitted after the game that he was actually a little bit nervous before he was first subbed in.

“I was nervous at the beginning while sitting on the bench and before in the locker room,” Ivisic said afterwards. “When I got in, I was cool.”

He really ran the full gamut of emotions on Saturday.

“Ah, it was crazy, I was sweating like crazy, because I was nervous, I didn’t know what to do. I started crying a little bit to be honest, too, because I was too happy, excited,” he commented.

When news initially surfaced about Big Z’s eligibility ruling, KSR’s Jack Pilgrim reported that the Kentucky staff was “stunned” that the ruling turned out how it did and that it came through on Saturday. Regardless, Ivisic says he never lost faith in getting to play.

“I was hoping for it, I was praying, I didn’t even think about that it won’t come. That’s why probably stay positive and patient. My teammates, coach, BBN, everybody was supporting me,” he said. “We were shocked at first, and then the tears came, and then I just started jumping in (Calipari’s) office like a crazy man.”

One reporter followed up to ask if Calipari shed a few tears as well.

“Yeah, a little bit, maybe,” said Ivisic, who also noted the support of his family, despite how far away they are from him at the moment.

“They were just too happy for me. They couldn’t wait for me to play and they were praying to God every day for me. It was a six hour difference, but they watched it,” he said of his relatives.

What a day for Zvonimir Ivisic.