Illinois Coach Explains Respectful Reason for Skipping Handshakes After Wisconsin Loss

Illinois coach Brad Underwood didn't have his team shake Wisconsin's hands following their game Tuesday due to an illness outbreak in the Illini locker room.

Illinois head coach Underwood argues a call during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-Imagn Images

Illinois coach Brad Underwood and Wisconsin coach Greg Gard met at half court after the Badgers took down the Fighting Illini handily Tuesday night. After a few moments of awkward discussion, it appeared that Underwood and Gard mutually agreed not to move forward with the traditional handshake line following the game.

The moment didn't seem heated, as both coaching staffs exchanged friendly thumbs-up gestures before they walked back to their respective locker rooms.

Brad Underwood and Greg Gard meet at mid-court after the game and elect not to do full handshake lines.

Not sure why, hopefully find out soon in postgame press conference. pic.twitter.com/qBeWXq0rzj

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) February 19, 2025

Underwood explained the strange scene during his postgame press conference, where he had a thoughtful reason for having his team avoid handshakes.

"At the end of the day guys, we don't have very many healthy bodies," Underwood said to reporters following the game via Glenn Kinley of WCIA, CBS' affiliate in central Illinois. "[Tomislav Ivisic] didn't make the trip with us, he drove up before the game because he said he wanted to try to play and Jake Davis got sick right after pregame. He said he wanted to try to start, but he didn't even join us at halftime, he was in the restroom.

"That's why we didn't shake hands with them after the game. They don't need this. In 38 years I've never seen anything like what's gone through our team."

Brad Underwood says the reason he suggested calling off the handshake line is because Illinois is so sick. He didn't want to spread it to Wisconsin.

Jake Davis got sick pregame and didn't even join the team at halftime. Tomislav Ivisic didn't travel with the team and drove up to… pic.twitter.com/LvF91MgoZ0

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) February 19, 2025

Underwood said that multiple players on his team have come down with a stomach virus after weeks of some players having flu-like symptoms, as he joked his team needs to wash their hands more. Even though the two teams just played a full game, it was a nice gesture to try and not spread the bug that has worked its way into the Illini locker room.

The No. 11-ranked Badgers beat Illinois 94-75 Tuesday. Illinois won the first game between the two teams this season 86-80 on Dec. 10. The Illini were much healthier for the first showdown.

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