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Coach Brad Underwood’s Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team is ranked No. 3 in the nation heading into its season opener against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Nov. 2 at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, giving the team a little time to tighten up its rotations.
The Fighting Illini looked good against the UIC Flames on Wednesday night, winning their final exhibition game by a score of 101-66, looking ready for the regular season.
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Underwood relied on a few unexpected, key contributors during the game, including one freshman starter who is playing ahead of a more established college star.
Fans cheer for Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood as he leaves the court following practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Reuters Connect – N/A
Here are four X-factors for the Fighting Illini this season that could make the difference between the program’s first-ever national championship and a relatively early exit.
Ethan Brown is a three-star freshman from Rolla, Missouri who has already outperformed his star ranking for coach Underwood’s team as he has started the team’s three exhibition games.
Brown probably wouldn’t be starting if Preseason All-American David Mirkovic wasn’t hurt, but it’s still a monumental achievement for a player who looks like a diamond in the rough with coach Underwood’s team.
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At 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Brown has a solid frame for a freshman shooting guard and understands how to get his offense within a team concept.
He has a sharp, fluid release on his jump shot which allows him to get it off in tight spaces. He also has the ability to get Illinois into its three-point centric offensive sets quickly because of his high basketball IQ and ability to push the ball up the court.
Brown will make plenty of freshman mistakes, but his advanced working on-court knowledge will give him a chance to start for much of the season, depending on when Mirkovic…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/4-x-factors-illinois-basketball-130036720.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-29 13:00:00
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