Illinois basketball: Top 3 performances of the Brad Underwood era

Illinois basketball has had some incredible teams in the past few years of the Brad Underwood era. Underwood has led the Illini to two Big Ten tournament Championships, two regular season titles and 5 straight NCAA tournaments. Throughout these incredible teams, Underwood has certainly had some incredible individual players. What are some of the best performances of this era?

Honorable mention: Marcus Domask vs FAU

Statline: 33 points (15-21 from the field), 6 rebounds

Marcus Domask had an absolute heater in Madison Square Garden vs Florida Atlantic, a team that had made the Final Four the year before. This was Domask’s first of many electric scoring performances in his one year as an Illinois basketball player. Domask got to all of his spots in the midrange and led the Illini to a stunning victory. The reason that this game is not higher is that Florida Atlantic ended up not having the best season and fellow Illini Terrence Shannon Jr also dropped 33 points.

3) Terrence Shannon Jr: 40 points vs Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament

Terrence Shannon Jr. had a Big Ten Tournament to remember. He averaged 34 points across three games at the 2024 Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis, en route to a championship. Terrence just effortlessly dominated the entire Big Ten tournament and consistently made play after play for his team. The 2023-2024 team was one of the most fun, complete teams in recent memory.

2) Kofi Cockburn vs Wisconsin: 37 points, 12 rebounds on 16/19 from the field

Kofi Cockburn would drop double-doubles for Illinois Basketball like it was nothing. It seemed like each night you could slate Kofi in for 20 points and 10 rebounds. The game on February 2nd, 2022 vs Wisconsin was a bit different. Cockburn dropped 37 points and 12 rebounds and only missed three shots from the field. Kofi simply could not be stopped and made the Wisconsin Badgers look like children guarding him. It was certainly one of the most dominant big man performances in Illinois basketball history.

1) Keaton Wagler vs Purdue: 46 points on 13 of 17 from the field, 9 of 11 from the three-point line.

There are no more words that can describe how incredible Keaton Wagler has been for the Illini. The story of his offer list is well known; however, Wagler simply continues to exceed expectations in the most nonchalant, humble, yet exciting way.

Wagler had one of the best individual performances in college basketball history en route to a major win at Mackey Arena. Wagler only missed four shots from the field. As a perimeter player, incredible is simply an understatement to describe Keaton’s play vs Purdue.

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini! The Armchair team is proud to partner with Hamilton Walker’s Seafood and Spirits. Reserve your table HERE. Enter our home game giveaways on our social media pages to win a $50 gift card.

We are also proud to partner with the Campus Ink Illini NIL Store! Use the code: ARMCHAIRILLINI for 15% off your purchase. Please subscribe to the Armchair Illini Podcast on YouTube here.

Above all, for feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at alexkyi13@gmail.com. Additionally, please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around.

Finally, subscribe to our newsletter here for more Illinois news! Go Illini!