Three wins in the books, and three more to go-Illinois Fighting Illini are charging into the Elite Eight. As the No. 3 seed in the South Region, they’re set to face off against Big Ten rival, the No.
9 Iowa Hawkeyes, on Saturday evening. The secret sauce to Illinois' impressive run?
Their laser-focused mindset under the guidance of Brad Underwood. He’s fully aware this squad is something special.
Reflecting on their recent win over Houston, Underwood shared insights about a standout practice session.
“We've had one other practice like that during my tenure. Unfortunately, the last time was before the Big Ten Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and we didn’t get to play.
It was one of those magical moments you wish would last forever. Our offense was on fire, with well-guarded, high-quality shots.
The energy was incredible-intense and emotional. We haven’t had many like that.”
He drew parallels to a similar practice before the 2020 Big Ten Tournament, a season cut short by the pandemic.
Brad Underwood has Illinois on the brink of his first Final Four appearance
Underwood's third season marked a turning point for the Illini. It was poised to be his inaugural tournament team.
Since the COVID interruption, Underwood has consistently led Illinois to 20-win seasons, clinching at least one March Madness victory each year, except for the 2022-23 season. Now, only Ben McCollum stands between him and the coveted Final Four.
Illinois has been a model of consistency, flying under the radar amidst the dominance of Michigan, Purdue’s Big Ten Tournament victory, and Iowa’s surprising surge under McCollum. Yet, Underwood’s achievements with the Illini deserve more spotlight. What will it take for him to finally cut down those nets?
If Illinois maintains their shooting prowess displayed in practice before the Houston game, they could put the Hawkeyes on the ropes. McCollum’s squad is playing with nothing to lose, venturing into uncharted territory. While Underwood has guided Illinois to the Elite Eight before, a Final Four berth would finally earn him the national recognition he’s long deserved.