ROSEMONT, Ill. — A few weeks ago, Ayo Dosunmu told TCR that before his commitment, it wasn’t “cool” to come to Illinois if you were from Chicago. Fast forward to today, and Brad Underwood’s Illini are in the national conversation for title contenders.
When Illinois AD Josh Whitman hired Brad Underwood on March 18, 2017, few Illinois fans could’ve predicted the heights that he’s taken the program to in his first nine seasons. Two Big Ten Tournament Championships, a Big Ten Regular Season Title, an Elite Eight and a Final Four. Illinois’ historic 2025-26 season was an indicator that the future is only getting brighter for Underwood’s Illini, reaching the Final Four for the first time in his coaching career and sending yet another Illini to the NBA in Keaton Wagler.
Players, coaches and outlets from around the world now treat Illinois with respect, even sometimes treating the Illini as a national powerhouse, a “new blue blood”. That’s evident in the Illini’s non-conference schedule for this upcoming season, with Underwood setting up matches against some of the most recognized programs in college basketball.
Underwood touched on how his success has come with change over the years, and doesn’t forget how hard it was to get there.
“You look at student tickets gone in nine minutes,” Underwood told TCR. “There’s a laundry list of those things…I haven’t forgotten what it was like the first couple of years. My hairline hasn’t either, but it’s very rewarding, because a lot of things and a lot of people impacted us getting here.”
It’s no secret that Underwood transformed the trajectory of Illinois basketball. As for how he did it, opposing Big Ten coaches and Illini players give the credit to the culture he built, his ability to get the most out of his players and above all, his determination to win.
One of the greatest coaches to ever do it, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, showed high praise for Underwood and his continuity while throwing in a joke regarding their tough styles of coaching.
“He’s been there 10 years, he’s a tough S.O.B himself and he’s demanding,” Izzo told TCR. “I get ridiculed for how I am, I’m a choir boy compared to Brad…I love Brad, he’s done a great job there, he’s been good for the league and he cares about the game.”
Andrej Stojakovic relayed a similar message, highlighting Underwood’s ability to push his guys to be the absolute best that they can be.
“The ability that he has to get his guys to play hard is probably the most consistent thing,” Stojakovic told TCR. “The words that he uses for us to go out there and play hard and represent the front of the jersey just as much as the back, I think is second to none.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg took a more tactical approach when attributing Underwood’s success, emphasizing how difficult it is to play against the way Illinois play now.
“They are so hard to guard. It’s a pick your poison type of defense: are you gonna shut down the lane or are you gonna take away the three? It’s hard to do both against what he does,” Hoiberg told TCR. “They’re so hard to prepare for. If you don’t bring your hard hat against a Brad Underwood team, you’re gonna get embarrassed.”
Underwood has built positive relationships with Big Ten coaches throughout the years, and Fred Hoiberg didn’t forget to show his sympathy.
“He’s as good as there is in our business,” Hoiberg told TCR. “I’m really happy for Brad for getting that Final Four.”
As Underwood continues to lead Illini basketball to success they haven’t seen in decades, the rest of Illinois athletics follow a similar trajectory. Even beyond athletics, Champaign-Urbana is taking in more students to nationally recognized programs year after year, and as Underwood put it, “It’s the golden years at Illinois right now.” But it wasn’t the same when Underwood took the job in 2017.
“I’ve seen the whole university change,” Underwood said. “You start seeing success breed success…it’s a time to hold your head high, and you see that energy everywhere on campus. I love being a part of it.”
The future is about as bright as it could possibly be for Illinois basketball thanks to Brad Underwood.
