‘Never about anything but a national championship’: Underwood previews Illinois’ 2026-27 season

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is optimistic about next season's Illini basketball team. Speaking on the "Inside College Basketball Now" podcast, Underwood discussed the Illini's March Madness run and outlined his vision for the upcoming season. While acknowledging that their overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals may have contributed to their sense of freshness, Underwood believes the primary reason for their success was gaining confidence by defeating various opponents and seeing different styles of play in the NCAA Tournament.

The team's momentum carried them to the Elite Eight, where they faced Iowa. Despite falling to UConn in the Final Four, Underwood remains optimistic and refuses to dwell on the loss. He emphasized that this is a new season for Illinois, with a clean slate and a fresh approach in practice. The addition of promising freshmen Quentin Coleman and Stefan Vaaks, along with improved performances from other returning players, has contributed to a renewed emphasis on strength and conditioning in the weight room.

Underwood expects significant improvements in rebounding and defense from players like Andrej Stojakovic and believes that the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead in March.