Illinois Coach Calls for Student Support at Final Four

Underwood promises to 'kick everybody's ass' in Indianapolis after Elite Eight win over Iowa.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:03pm

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After leading the Illinois Fighting Illini to their first Final Four appearance since 2005, head coach Brad Underwood addressed a group of students on campus and called for their support at the upcoming tournament games in Indianapolis. Underwood thanked the fans for sticking with the program through both highs and lows, and made a bold promise to 'kick everybody's ass' at the Final Four.

Why it matters

Illinois basketball has not reached the Final Four in over 15 years, and Underwood's passionate plea for student support highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding the team's deep tournament run. The coach's confidence and rallying cry could help galvanize the fanbase and provide a crucial home-court advantage for the Illini in Indianapolis.

The details

Underwood returned to the Champaign campus on Sunday after the Illini's 71-59 victory over Iowa in the Elite Eight. During his speech to students, he thanked them for their continued support and asked them to turn out in force for the Final Four games. Underwood promised the students that Illinois would 'turn Indy orange and blue' and then 'kick everybody's ass there.' The coach, who is in his 9th year at Illinois, has led the program to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last six seasons after missing it in his first two years.

  • Underwood addressed students on campus on Sunday, March 29, 2026, after returning from the Elite Eight win.
  • The Final Four will be played on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The national championship game will be played on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, who is leading the program to its first Final Four appearance since 2005.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The men's basketball team from the University of Illinois, which has qualified for the Final Four for the first time in over 15 years.

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What they’re saying

“We had a huge group in Houston. I know we're going to turn it out in Indy. We're going to turn Indy orange and blue, and then we're going to kick everybody's ass there.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

“This has been an unbelievable ride to this point. We've approached this thing one game at a time and got four wins. We've got two more to go. This is a group of guys (who are) resilient, very tough and very focused. Along the way, they're unbelievably talented basketball players who took great, great pride in the name on the front of the jersey to get Illinois back (to the Final Four).”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

“Nine years ago, about this time, I was walking through the airport taking this job. I'm honored to be the basketball coach here. I'm the most blessed guy in the world that I get to coach basketball in front of a group of fans like yourself who care.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

Both Final Four matchups will be played on Saturday, April 4, 2026, with the national championship game following on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

Underwood's passionate rally cry and confidence in his team's ability to succeed at the Final Four has the potential to ignite the Illinois fanbase and provide a significant home-court advantage for the Illini in Indianapolis. The coach's long-term commitment to rebuilding the program has finally paid off with a historic tournament run, and the students' support could be the final piece needed to capture the school's first national championship.