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Brad Underwood Quotes to Know After Illinois' Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

Brad Underwood Quotes to Know After Illinois' Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

After Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in its first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season (two more remain on the docket), Illini coach Brad Underwood addressed the media.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19
Analyzing Freshman Ethan Brown's Unexpected Start in Illinois' Win at Cincinnati

Analyzing Freshman Ethan Brown's Unexpected Start in Illinois' Win at Cincinnati

The shocker of the night in Illinois’ exhibition win over Cincinnati had nothing to do with the final score or who came out on top. Instead, it was freshman Ethan Brown getting the start over standout transfer Stefan Vaaks (whom many, including us, expected to land in the Illini's starting five ).

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19
Illinois Basketball No. 3 in AP Preseason Poll – Should the Illini Be Even Higher?

Illinois Basketball No. 3 in AP Preseason Poll – Should the Illini Be Even Higher?

The 2026-27 preseason AP poll was released on Monday, with Illinois landing at No. 3 in the country – trailing only No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Duke. UConn, which knocked off the Illini in the Final Four last season and is on the docket in early December , was slotted at No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 18
Analyzing Illinois Basketball's Highlights From Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

Analyzing Illinois Basketball's Highlights From Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in an exhibition game on Saturday. It was our first look at the 2026-27 Illini against an opponent. Unfortunately, that look was no more than a peek through a cracked door.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 17
Brad Underwood's Key Quotes Ahead of Illinois Basketball vs. Cincinnati

Brad Underwood's Key Quotes Ahead of Illinois Basketball vs. Cincinnati

On Friday morning, coach Brad Underwood addressed the media ahead of Illinois’ first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season – which takes place on Saturday at Cincinnati.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 15
Illinois Basketball to Host 2029 Forward Bronx Ganaway in Unofficial Visit

Illinois Basketball to Host 2029 Forward Bronx Ganaway in Unofficial Visit

All of the recruiting attention for Illinois basketball has centered around the 2027 and 2028 classes (the former of which hasn’t been as successful as some would have hoped ).

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 12
Reactions to Illinois Basketball's Latest Practice Highlights as Season Nears

Reactions to Illinois Basketball's Latest Practice Highlights as Season Nears

Illinois basketball’s social media team on Sunday offered “a little taste of what’s to come," and it’s safe to say that if it was the appetizer, Illini Nation will be eagerly awaiting the full-course meal.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 12
Brad Underwood Explains Why Jake Davis is 'Invaluable' to Illinois Basketball

Brad Underwood Explains Why Jake Davis is 'Invaluable' to Illinois Basketball

When Jake Davis came to Champaign on the heels of a 9.0-points-per-game freshman year on a sub-.500 Mercer team, some observers – including some of us at Illinois on SI – were scratching their heads.

Katin Houser News / ESPN / October 10

Illinois QB Houser out indefinitely with broken hand

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser will be out indefinitely after leaving Saturday's 38-37 win over Michigan State with a left hand injury, coach Bret Bielema said.

Jason Jakstys News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7
Illinois' Jason Jakstys 'Does Everything Right,' But Can He Find the Rotation?

Illinois' Jason Jakstys 'Does Everything Right,' But Can He Find the Rotation?

After suffering a blood clot in his shoulder in January , Illinois forward Jason Jakstys was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He wound up appearing in just nine games and averaging 5.3 minutes in those outings.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7
Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema made it a point of emphasis to heavily recruit the junior college ranks during the offseason. The Illini signed six JUCO prospects last season, and on Sunday they landed their first junior college prospect of this recruiting cycle in offensive lineman Harry Maileoi.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7
Illinois' Brad Underwood on Transfer Stefan Vaaks' Progression – And His Next Step

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Transfer Stefan Vaaks' Progression – And His Next Step

Illinois basketball, which has accessed the portal at times during Brad Underwood's tenure with the program, elected to add only one transfer to the mix in the 2026 offseason.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 6
Illinois Misses on 5-Star Darius Wabbington to Big Ten Rival: Time to Be Concerned?

Illinois Misses on 5-Star Darius Wabbington to Big Ten Rival: Time to Be Concerned?

Close but no cigar… yet again for Brad Underwood and his staff. High-priority target Darius Wabbington picked Indiana on Tuesday, over Illinois and Arizona.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 6
Why Illinois Coach Brad Underwood's Comments on Quentin Coleman Are So Encouraging

Why Illinois Coach Brad Underwood's Comments on Quentin Coleman Are So Encouraging

Quentin Coleman was the crown jewel of Illinois’ talent-laden 2026 high school recruiting haul. A five-star recruit, Coleman is one of the highest-rated players to ever commit to the Illini in the modern-day era.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 5
Illinois' Brad Underwood on Freshman Lincoln Williams' High Upside

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Freshman Lincoln Williams' High Upside

When Lincoln Williams, an in-state class of 2026 recruit from Kankakee, signed with Illinois in early June, it came entirely out of left field. It was, all things considered, a very late addition from the high school ranks.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 4
Brad Underwood Reveals What Illinois Needs From a Healthy Zvonimir Ivisic

Brad Underwood Reveals What Illinois Needs From a Healthy Zvonimir Ivisic

Back in early September, it was revealed by Illinois coach Brad Underwood that big man Zvonimir Ivisic had hurt his hand . At the time, the Illini didn’t seem to have much information about the injury (or Underwood wasn’t interested in sharing it).

Andrej Stojakovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 4
Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Names Favorite Players: Do Their Games Resemble His?

Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Names Favorite Players: Do Their Games Resemble His?

On Wednesday, Illinois released another edition of "The Illinois Script," an interview series with players and coaches from the university's athletics programs.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 3
Illinois Coach Brad Underwood Shares Latest on David Mirkovic's Recovery

Illinois Coach Brad Underwood Shares Latest on David Mirkovic's Recovery

It has been nearly two full months since sophomore Illinois forward David Mirkovic underwent surgery for a foot injury. Some initial reports foresaw an

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 3
What to Expect From Illinois Defense Without Bobby Hauck Calling Plays

What to Expect From Illinois Defense Without Bobby Hauck Calling Plays

Whether four games was enough time to determine whether Illinois and first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck were a fit no longer matters. Together, Hauck and Illini coach Bret Bielema decided after last week's to Ohio State to part ways.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 1
Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Despite Illinois’ lengthy list of visits from five-star prospects in the class of 2027 – or should-have-been visits (thanks, Dan Hurley) – Brad Underwood and his coaching staff haven’t been able to lock down any members of that prestigious group.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 1
Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Over the past few months, it has felt like Brad Underwood and his coaching staff have been involved, one way or another, in the recruitment of practically every five-star prospect in the 2027 class.

NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28
Commanders fans could soon turn on HC Dan Quinn

Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens

Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.

Commanders should be concerned after pathetic showing at joint practice
Dan Quinn calls out Commanders after unacceptable preseason showing
Jayden Daniels’ lone drive exposes Commanders’ greatest concern
NFL roster cuts expose flaws in league's approach to player safety
The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27
Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.  

Illinois' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032
UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era
NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 7

4 Candidates Illinois Softball Should Consider for Head Coach

The Illinois Fighting Illini parted ways with softball head coach Tyra Perry on Monday. Now, a national search for a new leader by Chief Sports Officer

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