Basketball

Illinois Basketball Preview: Underwood’s Disdain for Defeat Key to Avoiding Back-to Back Losses

Illinois Basketball vs Maryland Preview: Underwood discusses his keys to avoiding consecutive losses, highlighted by his hatred for defeat.

Published

4 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Kirkland Chappell

Dec 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood acknowledges the fans before a game with the Chicago State Cougars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball faces a tough challenge as they look to avoid back-to-back losses with (14-5) Maryland headed to Champaign.

Fresh off a gut-wrenching loss to Michigan State in East Lansing, the Illini are eager for the opportunity to bounce back at home. Nevertheless, Kevin Willard‘s Terps, who haven’t seen action since thier tough loss to Oregon 18 days ago (1/5), are looking to battle at the State Farm Center.

Quick Keys to Victory vs Maryland

Maryland’s offense runs through productive big-man (C) Derik Queen. The Baltimore native currently averages 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and around 1 block per game, in addition to a stout 54.8% FG%. However, the true freshman is going to have to have to battle on his hands in the front court, with a pair of fellow freshmen. (F) Morez Johnson Jr and (F) Tomislav Ivisic have continued to impress for Illinois Basketball and will be key to causing any disruption to Maryland’s high-powered offense, which averages 83.2 PPG. Of course, the Illini have another pretty good freshman as well. Foul trouble plagued Kasparus Jakucionis against MSU, further limiting his time on the court in East Lansing. However, the Illini’s talented shooter is fresh, and ready to make a statement at home.

The Streak – “A Tremendous Distaste For Losing”

Impressively, under Brad Underwood’s leadership, Illinois has avoided consecutive losses for 58-straight matchups. Certainly, a favorable statistic for the Illini, coming off a brutal loss to Sparty. Undoubtedly, the streak is a testament to Underwood’s ability to adjust on the fly, as well as regroup his troops with limited time.

Certainly, having “Good players” is helpful, according to the Illini head coach. However, Underwood credits his exceptional run of avoiding consecutive losses to his deep disdain for defeat.

Underwood – “We like winning, we talk about winning,” says Underwood. “I think you look at every game, and we try to figure out what we didn’t do very well in the last game. You do it better the next, and have a tremendous distaste for losing.” stated the Illini head coach.

“I have stated this many times to out staff, I have said many times to our players, it gets harder, and harder for me to handle losing… And I’ve always been a very bad loser. The feelings I get are terrible, and you know what, that’s ok, because that’s what keeps driving me pushing me, and I want those guys to have the same feeling.” said Underwood.

“If it’s ever – “hoo-dee-hum, on to the next, we got beat,” then, I won’t be your ball coach very long, because it’s gotta hurt. It’s the way I was raised, it’s the way I was brought up, and it’s the way I tried to build this team – losing is not acceptable.”

Illinois Basketball will tipoff vs Maryland at 8 PM CT on FS1. Will they continue Underwood’s streak vs the Terrapins?

Nov 28, 2024. Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images.

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Kirkland Chappell

Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.