Illinois Basketball Reaches Second Sweet Sixteen in Three Years

Illini coach Brad Underwood has lifted the program to new heights after early struggles.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:05pm

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After a rocky start to his tenure, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has guided the Illini basketball team to its second Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last three NCAA Tournaments. This latest run comes on the heels of the program's first Elite Eight appearance since 2005, showcasing the progress Underwood has made in Champaign.

Why it matters

Illinois basketball had struggled to make the NCAA Tournament in the years prior to Underwood's arrival, missing out four straight seasons. His ability to quickly rebuild the program and lead the Illini to consistent tournament appearances, including deep runs, has raised the expectations and profile of the team.

The details

In Underwood's first two seasons, Illinois lost a combined 39 games, the most over a two-year span in program history. But the Illini assistant coach Geoff Alexander noted the team has "come a long way" since those early struggles, crediting the "vision" and "process" that Underwood has instilled. Now in his ninth season, Underwood has the Illini playing at a high level, with this year's squad being his most talented team yet.

  • Illinois lost a combined 39 games in Underwood's first two seasons as head coach.
  • The Illini are making their second Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last three NCAA Tournaments.
  • Illinois last reached the Sweet Sixteen four times in a five-year span, ending in 2005.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois basketball team, who has guided the program to new heights after early struggles in his tenure.

Geoff Alexander

An Illinois assistant coach who has been on Underwood's staff for all nine seasons in Champaign.

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What they’re saying

“We've come a long way. It's just the vision that we had from the start is getting it to this point and further. You just got to keep chopping wood every day, and it's the process and living to that every single day and living up to those expectations. And then this is what creates it.”

— Geoff Alexander, Illinois assistant coach

What’s next

The Illini will now face No. 2 seed Houston in the Sweet Sixteen, with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons.

The takeaway

Brad Underwood's ability to quickly rebuild Illinois basketball and lead the team to consistent NCAA Tournament appearances, including deep runs, has raised the expectations and profile of the program. The Illini's second Sweet Sixteen in three years showcases the progress Underwood has made in Champaign.