Illinois Coach Underwood Calls Out Officiating After Win

Illini bounce back from tough loss with 71-51 victory over Indiana

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Four days after a tough overtime loss to Wisconsin, the Illinois Fighting Illini responded with a 71-51 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday. Head coach Brad Underwood was vocal in his criticism of the officiating, saying one of his players "gets clubbed in the head" during the game.

Why it matters

Underwood's public comments about the officiating highlight the ongoing tensions between coaches, players, and referees in college basketball. His willingness to call out the officials after a decisive win sends a strong message about his commitment to protecting his players and holding the referees accountable.

The details

The Fighting Illini bounced back from their previous loss with a convincing 20-point victory over the Hoosiers at home. Underwood was particularly upset about a specific play where he felt one of his players was unfairly hit in the head, leading him to vocally criticize the officiating during and after the game.

  • The game took place on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Illinois' previous loss to Wisconsin was four days earlier, on February 12, 2026.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, he gets clubbed in the head,”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach (Sporting News)

The takeaway

Underwood's strong reaction to the officiating, even after a decisive win, underscores the intense emotions and high stakes involved in college basketball. His willingness to publicly call out the referees sends a message about his commitment to protecting his players and holding the officiating accountable.