Brad Underwood Shares Keys for Illinois Ahead of UConn Final Four Showdown

Underwood spoke to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein about the keys for his Illini heading into their matchup with the Huskies

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Illinois (28-8) entered the NCAA Tournament as losers of five of its previous nine, but it flipped a switch in the Big Dance and rattled off four straight wins – and extremely convincing ones at that. Now the Illini are set for a rematch with a regular-season foe in the Final Four: UConn.

The Huskies got the best of the Illini back in late November of last year. And although lessons of that loss may apply heading into this one, the focus is more on the two programs at this moment – each of which scarcely resemble the early-season version of themselves.

So, what are the most important keys for Illinois vs. UConn in the Final Four? Here’s what Illini head man Brad Underwood is focused on heading into the game:

Brad Underwood identifies key areas for Illinois against UConn

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

“For us, it’s rebound the basketball,” Underwood told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. “We’ve got to guard them. And simply can’t turn it over. You can’t have live-ball turnovers. They do an incredible job of capitalizing on those. The game will unfold the way it unfolds, in terms of the chess match, X’s and O’s, and we’ll adjust accordingly. But it always comes down to defense, rebounding and turnovers. And I think those will be huge pieces for us.”

UConn over its past two games in the tournament: minus-15 on the boards. Illinois in its previous two outings: plus-26. That, in itself, paints a vivid picture going into this Final Four clash. The Illini, who are taking advantage of their size and sheer relentlessness, are rebounding at a better clip than any college basketball team has all season, while the Huskies are just trying to survive in that department.

But when it comes to the turnovers, it may be Illinois just trying to keep its head above water. UConn has forced all four of its NCAA Tournament opponents into double-digit turnovers – and that was certainly the game-changer vs. Duke in the Elite Eight. As for the Illini, they rank No. 8 in the country in turnover percentage (essentially, ball protection), but their security has loosened throughout the Big Dance.

Over the past three outings, opponents have ramped up the pressure on Illinois, and as a result, Underwood’s unit has averaged 9.3 turnovers during that stretch. Admittedly, that’s hardly a number to set off alarm bells, but with UConn on deck, protecting the ball must be an emphasis heading into the game. Given Underwood’s comments, it clearly is.

Now, for the one Underwood sort of glossed over: the “chess match." How does Underwood hold up against Dan Hurley? That's the question. The Illini coach said his club will “adjust accordingly” in the contest, but will those prove to be the right adjustments?

Few are better – and certainly none are more recently proven – in the in-game-coaching department than Hurley is. But Underwood, who has almost never earned acclaim in that area, has been exceptional at making moves in the moment throughout the tournament. Whether that holds true against Hurley and the Huskies on Saturday night may be the ultimate deciding factor.