Brad Underwood

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Duke's Cooper Flagg (2) drives past Illinois' Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Flagg fun: Illinois coach suggests young Duke star should stay in school and ‘chase a girl’

By Mike Fitzpatrick - Associated Press

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks during Big Ten NCAA college basketball Media Days Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

No. 25 Illinois is older and perhaps wiser after an underachieving season. Shannon, Hawkins are back

By Steve Stein - Associated Press

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn watches the final moments of Illinois' loss to Loyola of Chicago in a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Sunday, March 21, 2021. Loyola upset Illinois 71-58. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Illinois’ return to NCAA Tournament has disappointing finish

By STEVE MEGARGEE - Associated Press

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team as they played against Ohio State in an NCAA college basketball championship game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Patient, relentless Underwood has top-seeded Illini rolling

By WILL GRAVES - Associated Press

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard reacts to a call by the game officials during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Next Big Ten Showdown: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 4 Illinois

By NOAH TRISTER - Associated Press

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) goes up for a shot against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

Cockburn scores 24 as No. 5 Illinois tops Nebraska 86-70

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn shoots against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Cockburn leads No. 12 Illinois past Northwestern 81-56

By JAY COHEN - Associated Press

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) does to the basket as he is pressured by Purdue's forward Trevion Williams (50) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

Cockburn and Dosunmu lead No. 15 Illinois past Purdue 66-58

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu (11) pushes past Ohio's forward Dwight Wilson III (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

Dosunmu scores 24 as No. 8 Illinois holds off Ohio 77-75

Associated Press

FILE - Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, center, reacts as he dunks against Northwestern guard Pat Spencer, left, and forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., in this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

No. 8 Illini return with high expectations behind star duo

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talks to his team as they take on Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

Illinois rewards Underwood with 3-year contract extension

Associated Press

Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu (11) goes up to shoot as Indiana's Race Thompson (25) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

Dosunmu scores 17 Illini hold off Hoosiers 67-66

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Dosunmu’s shot lifts No. 21 Illinois over Michigan 64-62

By NOAH TRISTER - Associated Press

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots between Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) and center Matt Haarms (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

No. 21 Illinois runs away in 2nd half to sweep Purdue

By MICHAEL MAROT - Associated Press

Illinois' Kipper Nichols (2) goes in for a lay up as Northwestern's Pete Nance (22) looks to defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday Jan. 18, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

No. 24 Illinois hangs on to beat Northwestern 75-71

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Madison, Wis. Illinois won 71-70. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Illini snaps 15-game losing streak to Badgers

By TAMIRA MADSEN - Associated Press

File- This March 3, 2019, file photo shows Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) driving to the basket against Northwestern guard Anthony Gaines (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill. Illinois is built around highly touted 6-foot-5 sophomore guard/forward Dosunmu, who averaged 13.8 points per game last season. Dosunmu flirted with the NBA draft last season but returned to Illinois to lead a team known for its swarming defense and ability to score points in a hurry. (AP Photo/Stephen Haas, File)

Illinois welcomes higher expectations entering season

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois guard Trent Frazier, right, puts up a shot against Ohio State guard Keyshawn Woods, left, and forward Luther Muhammad during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Illinois tops Ohio State 63-56 for first road win

By NICOLE KRAFT - Associated Press

Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell (22) tries to get around Illinois center Adonis De La Rosa during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Robin Scholz)

Bezhanishvili scores 35, Illinois beats Rutgers 99-94 in OT

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) looks to pass out a offensive rebound to Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) who is being guarded by Nebraska guard Glynn Watson Jr. (5) during an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill., Saturday. Feb. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Robin Scholz)

Illinois hands Nebraska its fifth straight loss 71-64

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press