Illinois Basketball Looks Ahead After Final Four Loss

Coach Underwood's squad fell short of national title, but built a 28-9 season with international talent and a future NBA lottery pick.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:21am

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The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, led by head coach Brad Underwood, had a dream season that ended with a Final Four appearance. Despite falling short of the national championship, the team built an impressive 28-9 record through recruiting international talent and developing a freshman who is projected to be an NBA lottery pick.

Why it matters

Illinois basketball has been on the rise under Underwood's leadership, and this season's deep tournament run has raised expectations for the program. While they came up short of the ultimate goal, the team's success has generated excitement and optimism for the future of the Fighting Illini program.

The details

Coach Underwood assembled a talented 28-9 squad this season, leveraging his ability to recruit international players and develop a standout freshman who is expected to be an NBA lottery pick. The team's strong performance earned them a spot in the Final Four, marking a significant milestone for the program.

  • The Fighting Illini finished the 2025-26 season with a 28-9 record.
  • Illinois earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Final Four.

The players

Brad Underwood

The 39-year-old head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, who led the squad to a 28-9 season and a Final Four appearance.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The men's basketball team of the University of Illinois, which competes in the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed that we couldn't bring home the national championship, but I'm incredibly proud of what this team accomplished this season.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

The Fighting Illini will look to build on this season's success and make another deep tournament run in the 2026-27 campaign.

The takeaway

Despite falling short of the national title, the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team's impressive 28-9 season and Final Four appearance have generated significant momentum and optimism for the program's future under Coach Underwood's leadership.