When this Illini basketball team lost to UConn at Madison Square Garden on Black Friday, it was a game that didn't receive much hype. After all, it was an early tip-off on the day after Thanksgiving, on many people were more focused on food, shopping, holiday season activities and football than they were on basketball. And then the game itself lived down to the lack of hype, … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Game Preview, Prediction: Final Four vs UConn
brad underwood
Your Illini Basketball Final Four Bingo Card/Drinking Game
Without a doubt, the Illini basketball program won 2024 Big Ten Media Days with their Bingo card. You can view it in both in the photo above, and the tweet below. However, now it's Final Four time, and with that, time to up the ante. So your Illinois Bingo Card/Drinking game for Saturday night consists of: … [Read more...] about Your Illini Basketball Final Four Bingo Card/Drinking Game
Josh Whitman Brought a New Golden Era to Illini Athletics
When Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, gave his farewell address it included this famous quote: "only when you're in the lowest valley, do you know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain." As the Illinois men's basketball team heads to Indianapolis this weekend, to face UConn in the Final Four, one can't help but think of this quote. Illinois … [Read more...] about Josh Whitman Brought a New Golden Era to Illini Athletics
Brad Underwood ‘never doubted’ Illinois Would Get to a Final Four
"Living the dream" is a term that is certainly cliche, but it's also a wonderful reality for those who get to truly experience it. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is one of the fortunate few for which this catchphrase is very real. Leading the Illini has been Underwood's dream job for a long time. During his days leading Stephen F. Austin, he told an assistant that … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood ‘never doubted’ Illinois Would Get to a Final Four
Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
With Illinois reaching the Final Four tonight, we re-post this interview of Deron Willliams, discussing about Brad Underwood. In the Illini nation, the opinion of Deron Williams will always hold sway. The greatest NBA player in Illini basketball history, or at least for the modern era, he is what you would call "a club legend." So his public endorsement of current Illini … [Read more...] about Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
It's time to re-post this article from September, now that the Illini are back in the Final Four, for the first time in 21 years. Back at the media opportunity during the football season opener, I asked Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood about recruiting the Balkans. In his response, he mentioned that an orange jump suit could be in the future. Today, Underwood delivered … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials and Xennials
Thursday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 36th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and sixth in a row. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 46-36. As a Xennial, (neither Gen-X nor millenial) generation member, my Illini fandom experience begins in 1991, a few years before I enrolled at the school. On this March Madness eve, let's stroll … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials and Xennials
Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
We all just witnessed history! Illini basketball has a superstar in the making in point guard Keaton Wagler. The electric freshman just achieved one of the greatest performances in college basketball history with 46 points (13-17 FG, 9-11 3PT, 11-13 FT) and four assists. Keaton Wagler broke many Illini basketball and NCAA records on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
Keaton Wagler: Highest NBA Draft Stock on this Illini Basketball Team?
It was only a buy game, sure, but the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team did exactly what they're supposed to do in a situation like this, routing Southern 90-55. Keaton Wagler, the main storyline of Illini basketball preseason media day, finished just shy of a triple double today with 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. … [Read more...] about Keaton Wagler: Highest NBA Draft Stock on this Illini Basketball Team?
Why Illini Basketball Stays Overly Reliant on Three-Point Shooting
The cliche "live and die by the three" is just as apt this season as it was last year for the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team. Win or lose, the Illini will be chucking up threes with regularity. When the three-pointers are dropping, Illinois fans are happy. When they're missing, the fans will inevitably ask "what are you doing?" And "why do you take so many threes?" … [Read more...] about Why Illini Basketball Stays Overly Reliant on Three-Point Shooting