Illinois Fighting Illini reach new heights under Brad Underwood's leadership
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 12:36 PM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, led by Brad Underwood, has advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, with the recent victory over Iowa in the Elite Eight. This marks a significant turnaround for the program, which struggled for years without NCAA Tournament appearances and lost top recruits in the past. Underwood's hiring, seen as a pivotal decision by AD Josh Whitman, has revitalized Illinois basketball. The program is now poised with an impressive incoming freshman class and talented returning players.
- •Illinois defeats Iowa in the Elite Eight on March 28, 2026.
- •The program is experiencing a resurgence under coach Brad Underwood.
- •Illinois showcases a strong incoming freshman class and returning talent.
- •The program's revival contrasts with years of underperformance in the 2010s.
- •Josh Whitman's decision to hire Underwood is now seen as a success.
- 12:36 PMYahoo Sports — Illini program reaching new heights under Brad Underwood
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NCAAF•Sep 24, 2026, 1:24 PMWeek 4 college football viewer's guide: Loaded Saturday slate features 6 games between ranked teams, including Texas at Tennessee
College Sports•Sep 24, 2026, 1:23 PMFlorida State outlasts Miami in five sets to win conference opener- NCAAF•Sep 24, 2026, 1:15 PMLiberty vs. Coastal Carolina has an early season-turning point on Thursday
College Sports•Sep 24, 2026, 1:13 PMBrent Venables praises Trent Wilson's rapid development
College Sports•Sep 24, 2026, 1:13 PMKentucky vs South Alabama: Offensive X-factors in week four- NCAAF•Sep 24, 2026, 1:06 PMMeet the 20-year-old Ole Miss student behind viral Lane Kiffin taunting photo
