Brad Underwood isn’t hiding the mission at Illinois.
After guiding the Fighting Illini to a Final Four last season, the veteran coach made it plain during summer workouts that the next step is the biggest one of all. His focus for next season is simple.
"I'm looking for the next step," Underwood said. "National championship, that's the goal."
That line carries extra weight after what Illinois just did. The Illini put together a memorable run behind freshman Keaton Wagler and transfer Andrej Stojaković, reached the Final Four, and came within nine points of playing for the national title for the first time since 2005. For Underwood, it was his first trip to the Final Four, and it clearly sharpened the edge of what he wants from this program now.
Illinois has been a March mainstay under Underwood, making the NCAA Tournament in six straight seasons - seven if you count the cancelled 2020 event - and only once in that span has the team gone down in the first round. The rest of the track record includes three Round of 32 exits, an Elite Eight appearance, and now that breakthrough run to the sport’s biggest stage.
The roster turnover is significant, but the ceiling still looks high. Wagler declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after one of the best freshman seasons in Illinois history and went No. 5 overall to the L.A.
Clippers. Even so, the Illini still have the look of a team built to contend.
Stojaković is back in Champaign, and he could easily become the centerpiece. He was Illinois’ second-leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, trailing only Wagler, while David Mirkovic was right there too at 13.3 points per game. Mirkovic also led the team with 8.0 rebounds per game.
Illinois also won’t be short on help in the backcourt and frontcourt mix. Five-star freshman Quentin Coleman brings strong facilitating ability after the loss of Wagler, who averaged 4.2 assists per game. Transfer Stefan Vaaks and Tomislav Ivisic, who was on the roster last season, give Underwood more pieces to work with as he tries to keep this group on the title path.
The Big Ten picture only adds to the optimism. Michigan losing Dusty May last week and Michigan State’s recent trouble getting past the Sweet 16 both help clear a lane for Illinois. With this kind of lineup, the Illini could enter the season as the conference favorite.
Nationally, the market agrees Illinois belongs in the top tier. The Illini currently have the fourth-best odds to win the championship, sitting behind Duke, Florida, and UConn, with Michigan close behind.
Underwood has already shown he can build with all kinds of talent, from finding a gem in three-star recruit Wagler to leaning on strong international recruiting. Now he’s staring at a roster that gives him a real shot at something bigger than a Final Four banner.
For Illinois, the message is already set: the goal is not just another deep run. It’s the title.
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Illinois Freshman Defender Already Has Fans Dreaming Bigger For 2026
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An Illinois Football Program Just Made A Tough Decision About Its Future
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Instead of pushing straight back into the same level, Watseka is planning to spend 2025 playing a full junior varsity schedule in hopes of rebuilding its numbers and its foundation. Assistant coach Anthony Swanson is expected to remain part of that effort, giving the program some continuity as it tries to create a more stable future after a difficult year. [Read more 🡒]
Massive Clippers Shakeup Changes Everything For Former Illini Guard
A massive Clippers shakeup has ripple effects for former Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, whose place on the roster now looks far different than it did when he was filling a supporting role. With the front office changing the roster mix in a big way, the conversation around Wagler is no longer about how he fits next to a superstar, but about how much of the offense and responsibility he can handle in a more prominent spot.
For the Clippers, the move also shifts the focus to how the rest of the lineup comes together around him. Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick add different dimensions, and the team still has to sort out the balance of depth and shooting as it heads into next season, with Wagler and Darius Garland projected to form the starting backcourt. [Read more 🡒]