Brad Underwood ranked highly by National College Basketball media members

CBS analysts David Cobb, Gary Parrish, Kyle Boone, Matt Norlander, and Cameron Salerno voted on the best coaches in college basketball. David Cobb released an article today highlighting their current Top 25 (and one) coaches.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood came in at No. 19 in the country just behind Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland at No. 18 and ahead of respected names such as Pat Kelsey, T.J. Otzelberger, Chris Beard, Mick Cronin, Randy Bennett, Shaka Smart, and Ben McCollum.

“In an impressive late-career transition, Underwood has suddenly become a leader in the acquisition of international talent. Illinois is set to reap the benefits of that strategy again in 2025–26 and looks destined to reach its sixth straight NCAA Tournament. The knock on Underwood is that the Illini have only been past the first weekend once during his tenure, but six consecutive winning seasons in the Big Ten is nothing to scoff at,” said David Cobb in the article.

This high praise from some of the most knowledgeable college basketball analysts in the sport comes just a few weeks after analytical guru Ken Pomeroy (owner of KenPom) ranked Underwood as the 11th-best coach in the country.

Brad Underwood is sustaining success at Illinois

As David Cobb noted, Underwood has gone all in on European talent. The Illini will certainly rely on those players to help advance in the NCAA tournament

The Illini have made five straight NCAA Tournament appearances (which would be six if not for the COVID cancellation) and have won the Big Ten championship three times — one regular-season title and two tournament crowns.

In eight seasons, Underwood has quietly become the fourth-winningest coach in Illinois basketball history. He is likely to tie Bruce Weber for the second-most NCAA Tournament appearances following the 2025–26 campaign. He also has a chance to surpass Weber as the third-winningest coach in program history.

There is still more to be desired in March before Brad Underwood retires. However, he he has clearly cemented himself as one of the best coaches in Illinois history, and he’s now being recognized as a top coach nationally.

More deep March Madness runs in the coming years will be essential for Underwood to remain among the nation’s elite, and this year’s roster has the potential to take the Illini back to the second weekend.

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