Brad Underwood: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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On Friday, Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood and his staff reminded the nation why they’re one of the best recruiting units in the country when they earned the commitment of 6-foot-7 wing Lucas Morillo , who is listed as the No.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 24

Illinois Lands Four-Star Recruit Lucas Morillo: A Perfect Fit for the Illini

In the Brad Underwood era, Illinois has built a reputation as one of the best recruiting programs in the country. But in the past few years, Underwood and his staff have shifted their scope of focus from the typical, predominantly U.S.-based high school prospect lens to an internationally driven recruiting process.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 20

Illinois' Brad Underwood Teases 'Great Opportunity' in Florida Scrimmage

Illinois’ first matchup of the 2025-2026 season was a highly regarded Illinois State squad, picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference. But the Redbirds were a mid-major nonetheless – and happened to missing its top two players when they met the Illini in Champaign on Sunday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 20

Does Illinois Basketball Have a New Star? 'He's Got Some Jokic in Him'

As impressed as Brad Underwood was with David Mirkovic upon first impression, as rewarding as it was to bring him to Illinois in the offseason and as much playmaking potential as the coach saw from the 19-year-old forward from Montenegro, he still wasn't entirely sure what he had on his hands.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19

First Impressions: How Each Illinois Newcomer Fared Against Illinois State

No. 17 Illinois took down Illinois State by a score of 92-65 in an exhibition game Sunday in Champaign. With the Illini yet again bringing in a handful of newcomers this offseason, we’ll take a look at how each of the active newbies performed in their respective debuts in orange and blue.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19

Brad Underwood Reacts to Preseason Rankings and What They Mean to Illinois

It's rare that a college basketball coach spends much time worrying over their team's ranking – especially five months ahead of when it even begins to matter – and rare still that they would be willing to admit it publicly.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 16

Four-Star Jasiah Jervis Sets Decision Date: What It Means for Illinois

Illinois currently has commitments from two recruits in the class of 2026 ( Ethan Brown and Landon Davis ), but Brad Underwood and his staff still have yet to make a huge splash with that group – though the Illini will have a prime opportunity to fix that in a few weeks.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 14

Where Does Illinois' Brad Underwood Rank in KenPom's New Coaching Metric?

Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood rarely gets the benefit of the doubt, let alone is singled out as a top strategist among his peers. His strengths as a college head man, most would admit, are considered to be his recruiting acumen and motivational ability.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 13

Where Does Illinois Basketball Rank in the Andy Katz Power 37?

It’s almost time for tipoff in the college basketball season. With practices in fuill swing, media days in the books and teams ramping up for their openers, preseason rankings are rolling in from analysts and national outlets.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 11

Illinois' Brad Underwood Highlights Experience Difference From a Season Ago

A year ago, there was no doubt about the talent on Illinois’ roster. Guard Kasparas Jakucionis, wing Will Riley and big man Tomislav Ivisic led the way – but no part of that trio had any college basketball experience prior to 2024-25.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 10

3 Reasons Illinois' Brad Underwood Recruits Prizes International Recruiting

By now, there should be zero confusion about Illinois coach Brad Underwood's regard for the college basketball international recruiting scene: He's a fan.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 10

Brad Underwood Answers How He'll Game-Plan for Former Illini Morez Johnson Jr.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The love affair with Morez Johnson Jr. lasted longer than some remember. Johnson's relationship to the Illini dated back to at least 2021, when he committed to the University of Illinois as a high school sophomore at St.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 9

Brad Underwood's Early Impressions of Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic Dynamic

ROSEMONT, Ill. – When Illinois basketball landed Arkansas forward Zvonimir Ivisic through the transfer portal in the offseason, coach Brad Underwood immediately inherited a proven player with great length and an uncommon skill set that had particular value in the Illini scheme.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / October 9

Illinois’s Brad Underwood doesn’t hold back on why he recruits International players

When it comes to Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood, who recently signed a six-year $4.4 million contract extension, he goes global. In other words,

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 3

Illinois Freshman Brandon Lee Draws Lofty Comparison From Brad Underwood

Somewhere between the excitement surrounding transfer portal activity and overseas recruiting, Illinois’ top-rated high school prospect has gotten a bit lost in the shuffle.

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Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 2

Illinois' Brad Underwood Here to Stay: 'Not One Job I Would Leave Here For'

Let’s turn back the clock and take Illini fans back to more than two decades ago. The day is April 21, 2003. The specific date may not immediately ring a bell, but it was a Monday, less than a month removed from Illinois falling in the Round of 32 to Notre Dame.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 2

Eligibility Status of Illinois' Mihailo Petrovic Still in Limbo: What We Know

Illinois’ key addition of the offseason was Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic, who recently received what amounted to stunning praise based on a comparison from coach Brad Underwood.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 2

Illinois Basketball to Scrimmage Reigning National Champions: Why It Matters

Few college basketball coaches consistently schedule tougher non-conference slates than Illinois’ Brad Underwood. Every time an opportunity arises for the Illini head man to test his guys against a tough foe, he seems to take it – and if no opportunity comes knocking, he goes out to find it.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Yardbarker / September 24

With recruiting rules in flux, Illinois HC calls NCAA a 'comedy'

With recruiting rules in flux, Illinois HC Brad Underwood calls NCAA a 'comedy'

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood says if the NCAA is going to change its recruiting rules to allow athletes to play five seasons of competition over a five-year span, he wants a decision to come ASAP.

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Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 23

Top Illinois Basketball Targets Visiting Campus for Homecoming Weekend

No. 23 Illinois (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) is seeking a massive bounce-back victory this weekend against No. 21 USC (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) in front of a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium crowd on homecoming weekend after suffering a blowout loss at the hands of Indiana in Week 4.

College Basketball News / Field Level Media / May 13

Illinois' Brad Underwood agrees to contract extension through 2031

Illinois has rewarded men's basketball coach Brad Underwood for five consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and six straight 20-win seasons with a three-year contract extension that takes him through the 2030-31 season.

College Basketball News / Yardbarker / April 28

Illinois lands son of former NBA star via transfer portal

Illinois lands former five-star recruit and son of former NBA star via transfer portal

Illinois has picked up a very interesting player via the transfer portal. Andrej Stojakovic, son of former NBA player Peja Stojakovic, has committed to head coach Brad Underwood and the Fighting Illini.

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College Basketball News / ChiCitySports / March 24

Smoke surrounds Illinois Basketball coach Brad Underwood and major college basketball program

There is some smoke surrounding Illinois basketball head coach Brad Underwood and a major college basketball program. Underwood and the Illini suffered a heartbreaking 84-75 loss to Kentucky in the Round of 32 on Sunday at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

College Basketball News / ChiCitySports / March 23

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood blasted after loss to Kentucky in NCAA Tournament

Illinois basketball suffered a frustrating defeat to end their season on Sunday. The No. 6 seed Illini made it close at several points but never appeared to make a serious threat to overcome No.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / March 22

Brad Underwood hilariously responds to culture question after Illinois basketball’s win

After enduring a rough stretch to conclude the regular season, it appears that Illinois basketball is back to playing its game. Head coach Brad Underwood and the Illini gave a quality showing against a hungry Xavier team on Friday, putting the wraps on a historic NCAA Tournament feat for the Big Ten.