Why Brad Underwood 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of His Illinois Basketball Squad

With a win over Michigan on Sunday, the Illini turned a low point into a launching pad for the rest of their season

Mar 2, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team from the bench during their game against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Just over a week ago, Illinois (19-11, 11-8 Big Ten) got the brakes beaten clean off of it by then-No. 3 Duke in New York City, in what amounted to the worst margin of defeat the program had experienced – the lowest point in Illinois basketball history, at least by one measure.

On Sunday, after the Illini's 93-73 win over then-No. 15 Michigan at Ann Arbor's Crisler Center, coach Brad Underwood marveled out how far his guys had come in so short a time.

"I couldn't be prouder of a group of guys than I am with this group," Underwood said after the Wolverines game.

Growing, building, connecting.

One step closer to the target. pic.twitter.com/GDhz5l8Xe8

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 4, 2025

"After New York, it would have been very easy to pitch a tent and say, 'We're done. Don't want to fight very hard.' This group has done just the opposite."

Underwood said the Illini have turned in some of their best practices of the season in recent days, which, of course, is more doable with a full complement of players. A flu bug that ravaged the team has passed, and Tomislav Ivisic (mono, ankle sprain) is healthy for the first time in more than a month. Only Morez Johnson Jr. – albeit a significant contributor – remains on the shelf (broken wrist).

The Duke loss – a 110-67 thrashing on a national stage at Madison Square Garden – could have been the kill switch on this Illini season. Instead,

"That'll rock you. That'll test your mettle, whether you just go lay down in the fetal position," Underwood said. "And I've known guys to do that, but this group ... 12 hours later, we were on the floor. We decided to make the changes, and we talked about it, and then we went out and had a two and a half hour practice. And this group has been incredible since that. Not everybody can have a group like that. I'm blessed. I get to have a group like that."

Having finally had the opportunity to implement those adjustments, the Illini – coming off back-to-back wins – appear to be building momentum again as they enter the season finale against Purdue on Friday in Champaign (7 p.m. CT, on FOX).

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Basketball Falls Short of AP Poll But Lands In Expert's Top 25

CBS analyst Clark Kellogg on Illinois Basketball: 'I've Seen This Movie Before'

Best Social Media Reactions From Illinois Basketball's Upset of No. 15 Michigan