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Illini Embrace Final Four Moment, But 'Know the Job is Far From Done'
Illinois basketball team celebrates historic tournament run, but remains focused on winning national championship.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:53pm
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The University of Illinois basketball team is soaking in the praise and attention after clinching a spot in the Final Four, the program's first in 21 years. Head coach Brad Underwood and his players are enjoying the moment, but know they still have work to do to win a national championship. Underwood has sought advice from other coaches who have been in this position, stressing the importance of having fun while also remaining focused on the task at hand.
Why it matters
Illinois' run to the Final Four is a major accomplishment for the program, which has not reached this stage since 2005. The Illini have a chance to cement their legacy as one of the best teams in school history by winning a national title, something that would be celebrated by the entire Champaign-Urbana community.
The details
The Illini (28-8) dominated their way through the South Region of the NCAA Tournament, winning four consecutive double-digit games to reach the Final Four. Head coach Brad Underwood has been inundated with interview requests and congratulatory messages from across his coaching career, while his players have been embraced by a mob of excited fans. However, Underwood has brought the team back to business, ending the celebrating and turning the focus to preparing for their national semifinal matchup against UConn.
- The Illini clinched their Final Four berth by defeating Iowa, 71-59, on Saturday, March 30th.
- The team returned to Champaign on Sunday, March 31st and was greeted by a large group of fans at the airport.
- Underwood held a team meeting on Monday, April 1st to officially end the celebration and begin preparations for the Final Four.
The players
Brad Underwood
The head coach of the Illinois basketball team, who is in his 39th year of coaching and has finally led the Illini to the Final Four.
Matt Painter
The head coach of Purdue, one of Underwood's close friends in the coaching industry who has provided guidance on navigating the Final Four.
Dana Altman
The head coach of Oregon, another of Underwood's coaching friends who has shared advice on preparing for the Final Four.
Tom Izzo
The head coach of Michigan State, who has also provided Underwood with guidance on the Final Four experience.
Bill Self
The head coach of Kansas, the fourth coaching friend Underwood has consulted with about the Final Four.
What they’re saying
“Excited for the program, excited for the university, the Champaign-Urbana communities. Very, very excited for that. I think there's so many people to thank; there's so many fans, Orange Krush students, that I'm really excited that we're creating lasting memories for them.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach
“The best piece of this — and I don't want this to sound selfish, but it will — I've had a lot of stops along the way, and the people that have come from Dodge City, Kansas, to every stop along the way have reached out. It's stopped and forced you to remember moments at each one of those places with these people.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach
“The most important thing is they have enjoyed it, and they have had fun.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach
“We got the group together yesterday, and that ended that part of the celebration. I think that's important. I think you have to enjoy it, and you have to be excited about what you've accomplished, and yet, know that the job is far from done.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach
“Enjoy it. They said it's crazy. Enjoy it. They've all had different things that have been very positive. I've asked a lot of questions on practices to dealing with all of the different issues and things that go on and how they did it, and they've all been phenomenal in what their experiences have been. So, you take a little bit and try to figure out if it works for our team or not.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach
What’s next
The Illini will leave for Indianapolis via bus on Wednesday afternoon, and they don't plan on having that bus arrive back in Champaign until Tuesday, with a national championship trophy inside of it.
The takeaway
Illinois' historic run to the Final Four has captured the attention of the entire state, and the team is determined to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While they are embracing the moment and having fun, the Illini remain focused on the ultimate goal of winning a national championship, knowing there is still work to be done.
