Brad Underwood reaches major milestone with the Illini win over Texas Tech

Brad Underwood checked off another major accomplishment on his coaching resume with the Illini’s win against Texas Tech on Tuesday night. Now in his ninth year as Illinois’ head man, Underwood finally earned his first home non-conference win against a ranked opponent.

“Wow, that stinks. Man, is that the truth? Gosh darn,” said Brad Underwood.

Even Underwood couldn’t believe this was his first non-conference ranked win inside the State Farm Center. Illinois was previously 0–3 in such games, with losses to Arizona in 2021, Marquette in 2023, and Tennessee last season. The Illini have beaten plenty of ranked opponents in conference play and at neutral sites, but defending home court against a top opponent marks another important milestone for the program.

From the ground up

Illinois fired John Groce following the 2017 season after the Illini missed the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. Brad Underwood was hired in March 2017 and has since led the program to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (six if you include the 2020 canceled tournament) and six straight 20-win seasons.

Underwood is now the fourth-winningest coach in Illinois basketball history, trailing only Lou Henson, Harry Combs, and Bruce Weber. He will soon pass Weber for the second-most NCAA Tournament appearances as an Illini coach, though he still lacks the coveted Final Four appearance that all three of those predecessors achieved.

The next step for both Underwood’s resume and this program is to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Illinois has reached the second weekend just once since the 2005 national championship game, when the 2023–24 team made the Elite Eight, but this current Illini squad might be the best of the Underwood era.

Illinois entered the season ranked No. 6 in KenPom and has already climbed to No. 4 nationally. The Illini have overachieved or tied their preseason KenPom ranking in six of Underwood’s nine seasons at the helm.

The home victory over Texas Tech will likely stand as a Quad one win on Selection Sunday, with another potential Quad one opportunity looming against Alabama in Chicago.

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