If learning from past mistakes was a theme, Brad Underwood has certainly adapted. The post Brad Underwood’s Masterclass Positions Illinois as a March Madness Dark Horse appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Basketball in the Big Ten Conference has always been a challenge. The league is well known to be a gauntlet, and every night, every team will give each other their best shot. That is no different during this 2024-25 season.

So no Kasparas Jakucionis, the star point with a left forearm injury? No crazy student section because they're on break?No problem.No. 13 Illinois smokes Penn S

Illinois head men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood has a reputation for being a hothead. But on Sunday, the Illini head whistle showed a softer side. Before Illinois’ game against Chicago State, Underwood gifted a basketball signed by the entire team to the wife of Big Ten Network announcer Mike Hall.

Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball head coach Brad Underwood discussed the injury status of guard Kasparas Jakucionis after Wednesday's game. Jakucionis did not play in Illinois' 91-52 win against Penn State on Wednesday due to a left forearm injury.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood did not want to linger on Thursday night's historic Big Ten Conference victory at No. 9 Oregon. The No. 22 Fighting Illini's 109-77 decision in Eugene, Ore.,

Entering 2025, 18 conference games remain on every team’s schedule. While Michigan State (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten), UCLA (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) and Michigan (10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) lead the standings, 90% of the conference schedule remains unplayed.

The Big Ten is one of the deepest conferences in America, but how many teams could win the league? John Fanta lists seven teams that could realistically win the regular-season title.

Welcome back: Illini's Orlando Antigua tops in Big Ten assistant pay — by $200K+ ... Sign of the times: Indiana's football coach now makes nearly double as much as head hoops Hoosier ... Plus: private jet perks, nepotism clauses, Jamall Walker's return and more.

Brad Underwood was pleased with his team after a three-win week that boosted the Illini up nine spots in the AP poll. Illinois checked in at No. 13 in the latest rankings, but it wasn’t just the final score that left the Illini head coach feeling content.

Big Ten Network college basketball analyst Bruce Weber was a guest Saturday morning on the WDWS radio show "Saturday SportsTalk." Weber, the Illinois men's basketball head coach from 2003-12, had high praise for his former team.

But there aren't enough evil geniuses to fill the State Farm Center floor who could have concocted the scenario faced by the Illini on Wednesday. Maybe there is only so much to be learned from a single game,