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Illinois' Brad Underwood Reaches Final Four After 9-Year Journey
Underwood's dream at Illinois has finally become a reality as the Fighting Illini advance to the Final Four.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:33pm
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Illinois' long-awaited Final Four appearance is the result of nearly a decade of rebuilding under coach Brad Underwood.Champaign TodayAfter nine years of building the Illinois basketball program from the ground up, head coach Brad Underwood has led the Fighting Illini to the Final Four. This moment is the culmination of nearly a decade of hard work, early struggles, and reshaping expectations in Champaign. Illinois is now 28-8 and has won its four NCAA Tournament games by double digits, playing with a confidence and identity that reflects years of Underwood's program development.
Why it matters
Underwood's journey to this point has been long and challenging, but he has transformed Illinois into a powerhouse that is now competing on the biggest stage in college basketball. This Final Four appearance marks a significant milestone for the program and validates Underwood's vision and commitment to building a winning culture at Illinois.
The details
Underwood first arrived at Illinois in 2017, tasked with rebuilding a program that lacked identity and consistency. The early seasons were uneven, with the results not matching the expectations, but Underwood remained steadfast in his approach. Over time, the Illini leaned into toughness, rebounding, and defensive pressure, and that identity began to take shape. Now, Illinois is playing its best basketball of the season, controlling games and dictating the pace with a confidence that reflects the years of work finally coming together.
- Underwood was hired as Illinois' head coach in 2017.
- The Illini faced early struggles in Underwood's first few seasons, but gradually built a winning culture.
- Illinois reached the Elite Eight in 2024 before falling to UConn.
- This season, the Illini are 28-8 and have won all four of their NCAA Tournament games by double digits.
- Illinois will face UConn in the Final Four on April 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM CT.
The players
Brad Underwood
The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who has spent the last nine years building the program into a national powerhouse.
UConn Huskies
The opponent for Illinois in the Final Four, a program that has previously defeated the Illini in the 2024 Elite Eight and earlier this season.
What they’re saying
“It's been nine years of dreaming a big dream.”
— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini
What’s next
The winner of the Illinois-UConn matchup will advance to the national championship game on April 7, 2026.
The takeaway
Underwood's long journey to build Illinois into a national contender has finally reached its pinnacle, as the Fighting Illini have earned a spot in the Final Four. This moment validates the coach's vision and commitment, and the team's evolution over the past nine years has positioned them as a legitimate threat to win the national championship.
