Illinois HC Brad Underwood's Final Four message is much bigger than college basketball
Brad Underwood praised his team’s character and expressed deep emotion after Illinois’ 71–62 loss to UConn in the Final Four. It marked the first time the program had reached the doorstep of the national title game in 21 seasons.
Illinois HC Brad Underwood's Final Four message is much bigger than college basketball originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Illinois Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood didn’t hide from the microphone.
He didn’t mask the pain. He didn’t try to be the tough guy. He didn’t try to be the coach who always has the answers.
He let himself be, as he made eye contact with me in a busy media room in the underbelly of Lucas Oil Stadium, upon reflecting on Illinois' best season since its run to the national title game in 2005. “I’m sad,” Underwood told reporters . “If you want to know the truth, I’m sad.
” Illinois’ 71–62 loss to UConn Saturday night wasn’t just the end of a season. It was the end of a journey that Underwood said brought him “more joy than any group I’ve ever coached. ” It was the end of a run that reconnected a fan base to its program.