Underwood grows emotional discussing Final Four run, relationships with players
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WCIA) – It was an emotional scene in and around the Illinois men’s basketball locker room after Saturday’s Final Four loss to UConn. “I can’t hardly talk,” Illini head coach Brad Underwood said.
“It stinks. ” Underwood fought back tears when talking with reporters about this team and what the players on it mean to him. “Please don’t ever judge me for wins and losses,” he said.
“That’s not who I am as a coach. Relationships – you want it for [the players. ]” Underwood, asked what he would tell his former self – who waited worked as an assistant coach for more than two decades and had a handful of stops at lower levels – about getting to this place.
“It’s worth it,” he said. “The one thing I would tell anybody is time is wonderful, because of all the relationships… It’s worth it. It’s worth it.
There’s nothing wrong with time and paying your dues, and working your tail off. ” He continued. “It’s not over,” he said.