‘Frustrated’ Illinois MBB coach Brad Underwood storms out of presser after Wisconsin loss

‘Frustrated’ Illinois MBB coach Brad Underwood storms out of presser after Wisconsin loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Illinois Fighting Illini fell to No. 8 in the most recent AP Poll that was released Monday. Unfortunately, Tuesday night’s 92-90 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in Champaign saw them drop back-to-back games for the first time this season after holding a double-digit lead, 71-59, with 8:11 left in regulation.

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Despite the home loss, which now sees the Illini (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten) staring at the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (22-1, 12-1 Big Ten) for conference championship positioning, Underwood was pleased with the way his team has responded without guard Andrej Stojaković (ankle sprain) and guard Kylan Boswell (fractured hand).

“Really proud of our guys,” Underwood told reporters. “Tough one to lose. Really off script for us with 13 turnovers, most we’ve had in league play. Then just a very poor night on the offensive glass. Very seldom do you shoot 53 percent and lose.”

Even though Illinois struggled down the stretch to close out a Badgers (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten) team that had split their previous four games, Underwood took issue with the way guard Keaton Wagler has been dealt with by the officiating crew in recent weeks.

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“I’m done,” Underwood said of the officiating inconsistencies. “I’m frustrated as heck. I’m very frustrated. Because it changes so much from game to game.”

Specifically, Underwood noted a 10-second call and an “egregious” out-of-bounds play that set the tone in overtime. This ticked off Underwood to the point where, out of anger and disappointment, he took no more questions and aggressively walked off the podium to exit the State Farm Center media room.

“We had a guy [ref] tonight we haven’t had in two years,” Underwood said, without calling the official out by name. “In two years…do a league…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/frustrated-illinois-mbb-coach-brad-051922849.html

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Publish date : 2026-02-11 05:19:00

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