We got the full Big Z experience vs. Vanderbilt

With Tre Mitchell sidelined due to back issues, we knew Zvonimir Ivisic was going to get extra playing time tonight. We didn’t just get to see Big Z play more, we got the entire Big Z experience in Kentucky’s 109-77 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Over the course of 12 minutes, Ivisic put up 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block. He also had three turnovers and fouled out. At one point, he tried to check in while a Vanderbilt player was still shooting free throws, proof he’s still got a lot to learn, but man, watching him do it is entertaining.

“His best practice (was) yesterday,” John Calipari said of Ivisic. “So now he’s all excited. Yeah, that’s how this works. And he’s a great kid. I mean, he had three turnovers today and all of them were like, ‘Why did you do that?! Like, you know just make easy plays. You’re such a good player, you don’t have to do that.’

“But I’ll tell you, he’s a difference-maker. You can throw lobs to him. How about, he can throw a lob to you?”

Ivisic did throw a lob tonight, to fellow seven-footer Aaron Bradshaw. Afterward, Big Z couldn’t help but chest bump his buddy on the way back down the court.

#BigZ can’t contain his excitement after the alley-oop to Aaron Bradshaw. #BBN pic.twitter.com/w3KULwICUt

— David Scott (@Finna_Go_HAM) February 7, 2024

Calipari on Big Z earning minutes moving forward

Ivisic missed the Tennessee game due to an illness, just the latest maladie the Croatian seven-footer had dealt with since arriving on Kentucky’s campus last fall. Tonight, he played 12 minutes, the most he’s played since his debut vs. Georgia on Jan. 20. Since then, he has totaled only four points over three games. Tonight, he almost tripled that, which Calipari credited to him finally getting some practice time under his belt.

“He was far behind because he wasn’t practicing,” Cal said. “If you want to know what they were, there were like nine different things. Things I didn’t realize could happen. And I just — ‘Kid, do you ever want to play here?’ Well, you’re going to have to practice.'”

After playing well tonight, will Ivisic move up in the rotation? Calipari said Mitchell may need a few more days of rest, so the immediate answer is yes. From there, the guys that are playing the best/hardest will get the minutes.

“Yeah. That means some guys aren’t going to play as much. I mean, Jordan [Burks] played better than — Now does that mean he should be in there? ‘No, because I like the other kid more.’ What?

“I’m just watching the game and just saying, ‘Hey, I’m playing the guys that really want to do this.’ In another week or two, we’re going to have 11 guys. We’re going to have 11 guys, and they all can play. So, I’d rather have that than four guys.”

And when one of those 11 is Big Z, it’s an entertaining ride.