After Criticism, Illinois’ Orange Krush Responds with Roar in Bounce-Back Win Over Indiana
CHAMPAIGN - Brad Underwood had no idea what all the fuss was about. When asked about the recent criticism aimed at Illinois’ student section, the Orange Krush, the Illini head coach looked genuinely puzzled.
He doesn’t spend much time scrolling through social media, so the online backlash hadn’t reached him. And frankly, it didn’t compute.
“I didn’t know that they were [receiving criticism]. Really?”
Underwood said, turning to Illinois’ sports information director with surprise. “They’re great.
We’ve got the best fans in the country.”
That’s not just coach-speak, either. Underwood’s relationship with the Krush runs deep.
He meets with them regularly and makes a point to acknowledge them with applause and a gesture before every home game. He knows the energy they bring.
And on Sunday, that energy was back in full force.
After a tough 92-90 overtime loss to Wisconsin earlier in the week - a game that left fans frustrated and fingers pointing in every direction, including toward the stands - the Orange Krush found itself under a rare spotlight. On social media, some Illini fans questioned the student section’s impact, or lack thereof, during crunch time. It was a surprising turn for a group that’s been one of the most recognizable and passionate student sections in college basketball for over 50 years.
But to those inside the locker room, the Krush’s presence is still felt. Senior guard Kylan Boswell, a Champaign native who grew up watching the Illini during less successful seasons, saw the online chatter. And he saw how the Krush answered the call in Sunday’s 71-51 rout of Indiana.
“I was proud of ’em,” Boswell said. “The last two days, I’ve seen on Twitter that everyone had their opinions about the Krush, but I think throughout these two years I’ve been here, they’ve done a great job.
But today, they definitely did their best to step up. And I think they did that.”
Boswell’s right. The Orange Krush brought the noise - and the Illini responded in kind.
It wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. One that reminded fans what this building can sound like when the students are locked in and the team is rolling.
Now, to be clear, the Krush didn’t lose that game against Wisconsin. Illinois was without its two best perimeter defenders - Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic - against one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic backcourts in Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.
Add in a season-low eight offensive rebounds and 13 turnovers, and you’ve got a recipe for a blown 12-point second-half lead and a second straight overtime loss. That’s basketball - sometimes the issues are tactical, not atmospheric.
But it’s also fair to say the State Farm Center hasn’t consistently hit its peak volume this season. That’s not just on the students - it’s on the whole building.
And when a team like Wisconsin walks into your house and looks comfortable in the final minutes of a tight game, questions are going to be asked. The Krush, as visible and vocal as they are, became an easy target in the aftermath.
Still, Sunday felt like a reset. The Illini played with purpose.
The crowd - led by a re-energized Krush - matched that intensity. And the result was a dominant win that kept Illinois in the hunt and reminded everyone what homecourt advantage is supposed to look and sound like in Champaign.
Underwood’s vision for his home arena is simple: “All I want is our building, at some point, all that concrete up there, to start chipping away because it’s so loud,” he said. “Then we can stress [athletic director] Josh [Whitman] out instead of me.”
If Sunday was any indication, the Orange Krush is more than up for the challenge.