Illini program reaching new heights under Brad Underwood

It’s almost unbelievable how good of a spot the Illini basketball program is in right now. Not only are they fresh off a Final Four appearance, but they have also recently hosted a few of the top high school prospects in the country. The incoming freshman class is extremely talented, and the returning players from last season have plenty of talent themselves.

Around 10 years ago, I could not have imagined this program reaching the level it has recently. During a time when the program went multiple consecutive years without making the NCAA Tournament and lost recruiting battles for top in-state players such as Jalen Brunson and Cliff Alexander, just to name a few, it felt like the Illini basketball program couldn’t catch a break in the early to mid-2010s.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I began to wonder if I would ever see the program even reach a Final Four. It got to the point where I just hoped the Illini could finally be relevant enough again to be featured on a game broadcast by CBS, which they failed to do for multiple seasons in a row under John Groce.

CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach John Groce of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center on February 21, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Luckily for this fanbase, Josh Whitman made the decision to fire John Groce and look elsewhere for a new head coach. I can’t say I knew Brad Underwood would succeed with the Illini, but I was initially happy to hear the news because I was familiar with the success he had at Stephen F. Austin.

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Publish date : 2026-09-24 12:36:00

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