Brad Underwood is clearly well-respected amongst his fellow coaches in the Big Ten

Big Ten Media Days are here, and Illinois has been a popular topic of conversation, and not just when talking to Brad Underwood and his players. After a Final Four appearance and retaining nearly the entire roster, the Illini are looked at as the top Big Ten team and a serious contender for the championship, and other coaches in the conference know that.

Not only were coaches asked about their own teams at Media Days, but also about other teams as well, like Underwood and Illinois. Even though Illinois is looked at as a serious threat in the Big Ten, other NCAA Tournament coaches have a lot of high praise for Underwood’s work in Champaign and aren’t afraid to share it.

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Tom Izzo and Fred Hoiberg both hold Brad Underwood in high esteem

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was the first to talk about Underwood and all that he has done at Illinois. One of the biggest things that Izzo admired most about Underwood was that he stuck around Champaign, even after the Illini struggled to keep coaches, either due to success with the team or lack thereof.

Izzo also talked about how tough a coach Underwood is, comparing him to himself, who many believe is very tough.

“He’s a tough SOB, and he’s demanding. I get ridiculed for how I am. But I’m a choir boy compared to him,” Izzo said. “I love Brad. He’s done a great job.”

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg, who got the Cornhuskers to their first-ever Sweet Sixteen in program history last season, also had high praise for Underwood. Not only did Hoiberg praise Underwood, but how his teams play, knowing that when his team plays Illinois, they need to be ready to go.

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“If you don’t bring your hard hat against a Brad Underwood team, you’re gonna get embarrassed,” Hoiberg said.

Underwood is clearly a well-respected coach in the Big Ten, as seen by how other coaches in the conference spoke of him. Not only has Underwood been at Illinois for nine seasons, but it hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows in Champaign under his…

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Publish date : 2026-10-11 10:00:00

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