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Brad Underwood

The Illinois basketball connection that sparked Timberwolves’ unbelievable Nuggets upset

The Minnesota Timberwolves advanced past the Denver Nuggets in a six-game first-round series, and a key factor behind the upset was an unlikely college connection rooted in University of Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball. Former Illinois standouts Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. played pivotal roles throughout the series, providing production and energy that helped […] The post The Illinois basketball connection that sparked Timberwolves’ unbelievable Nuggets upset appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Andrej Stojakovic leaves door open for Illinois return with NBA Draft decision

Illinois basketball broke new ground under Brad Underwood in 2025-26, reaching the Final Four after rolling through a challenging South Region that included a victory over Houston in the Sweet 16. Guard Andrej Stokajovic, one of the top additions in the transfer portal last offseason, was one of the key reasons behind Illinois’ run to […] The post Andrej Stojakovic leaves door open for Illinois return with NBA Draft decision appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Illinois basketball rumors: Why John Blackwell addition is now ‘highly unlikely’

The Illinois basketball program has been pursuing one of the top transfer guards in the portal this offseason. John Blackwell, formerly of Wisconsin, has been a top target for Brad Underwood’s program. A new report is throwing cold water on the idea that Blackwell will go to the Illini. “The Illini have invested heavy dollars […] The post Illinois basketball rumors: Why John Blackwell addition is now ‘highly unlikely’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Illinois Pushing for $1.5 Million Guard in College Basketball Transfer Portal

The Illinois Fighting Illini fell just short of their first national championship appearance since the 2004-05 season. Entering the NCAA Tournament as the South Region's No. 3 seed, they advanced to the Final Four. Their run ended there, as they lost to the No. 2 UConn Huskies 71-62. It was still a ...

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Illinois basketball’s Brad Underwood adds another Euro star with Providence transfer

The Illinois basketball team hopes to build on its appearance in the Final Four during the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is adding Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, per ESPN. He is yet another European player who will suit up for the Fighting Illini. Vaaks put up solid production night in and night […] The post Illinois basketball’s Brad Underwood adds another Euro star with Providence transfer appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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1 transfer portal target Illinois basketball must sign to get back to Final Four

Illinois basketball shifts to reload mode following its Final Four return. That now includes replacing top freshman scoring machine Keaton Wagler. The versatile shooting and point guard declared for the 2026 NBA Draft Saturday evening. Wagler is hearing top five chatter amid his decision to leave Champaign. Granted, head coach Brad Underwood and his staff […] The post 1 transfer portal target Illinois basketball must sign to get back to Final Four appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler declares for NBA Draft

Illinois basketball garnered an early No. 1 ranking over Michigan after the 2025-26 season wrapped up. But the Illini must now operate without Keaton Wagler heading into next season as he heads to the NBA Draft. The prized freshman, who sparked the Final Four return for Illinois, declared for the draft Saturday. ESPN NBA insider […] The post Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler declares for NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Mind-blowing stat proves UConn is Illinois’ kryptonite after Final Four

Illinois basketball is cleaning up the debris after its season self-destructed against UConn Saturday. The Huskies proved their Final Four experience was too much for the Illini. Now a mind-blowing stat released Sunday shines this light: How UConn is the kryptonite of Illinois. The Illini entered Lucas Oil Stadium carrying eight losses. UConn now beats […] The post Mind-blowing stat proves UConn is Illinois’ kryptonite after Final Four appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Illinois basketball’s Brad Underwood keeps it 100% real on emotional toll of Final Four loss

With the Illinois basketball team losing in the Final Four to the UConn Huskies, head coach Brad Underwood spoke after the result, leading to an emotional reaction. There’s no doubt that Underwood is proud of the Illinois basketball team’s 2025-26 season, and kept it real after the 71-62 heartbreaking defeat to the Huskies. Underwood wouldn’t […] The post Illinois basketball’s Brad Underwood keeps it 100% real on emotional toll of Final Four loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Brad Underwood couldn’t be prouder of 2025-26 Illinois team despite loss to UConn

With the Illinois basketball team’s 2025-26 season coming to a close after losing to the UConn Huskies, head coach Brad Underwood would send a message after the heartbreaking loss. While the basketball world tries to figure out who’s to blame for the Illinois basketball team’s loss to UConn, Underwood is more focused on reflecting on […] The post Brad Underwood couldn’t be prouder of 2025-26 Illinois team despite loss to UConn appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read moreBrad Underwood couldn’t be prouder of 2025-26 Illinois team despite loss to UConn

UConn Huskies vs Illinois Fighting Illini Box Score, Stats, Game Summary And More Ft. Alex Karaban, Keaton Wagler

For one of the NCAA Final Four matchups of this year's national tournament, coach Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies, who are going for their third NCAA title in five years, is matched up against coach Brad Underwood's Illinois Fighting Illini, who hasn't been there since 2005.

Read moreUConn Huskies vs Illinois Fighting Illini Box Score, Stats, Game Summary And More Ft. Alex Karaban, Keaton Wagler

Illinois most to blame for crushing Final Four loss to UConn

Illinois basketball envisioned a return to the National Championship game for the first time since 2005 Saturday. But UConn ended the Illini’s run through March Madness, beating them 71-62 Saturday in the Final Four. The second Big Ten representative along with Michigan in the round of four handed the Huskies scares. Illinois even sliced the […] The post Illinois most to blame for crushing Final Four loss to UConn appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Visa Loopholes Enable International College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players. The post Visa Loopholes Enable International College Basketball Players to Cash In appeared first on Front Office Sports.

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Illinois head coach gets brutally honest on Final Four appearance

The conclusion of March Madness is almost here, with the Final Four on deck. The two games this year are filled with intriguing storylines. Most attention is on the later game between Michigan and Arizona, but Illinois and Connecticut are also a great game. It is the Illinois basketball program’s first appearance in the Final […] The post Illinois head coach gets brutally honest on Final Four appearance appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Illinois Students Banned From Getting Booze Delivered For Final Four Game Afer Champaign Issues Emergency Order

It’s been more than 20 years since Illinois played in a Final Four game, and that drought will come to an end when the Fighting Illini face off against UConn in Indianapolis on Saturday. Plenty of students back in Champaign will be boozing during the game, but they’ll be facing some restrictions after the city […] The post Illinois Students Banned From Getting Booze Delivered For Final Four Game Afer Champaign Issues Emergency Order appeared first on BroBible.

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Inside Illinois' coaching staff: Meet Brad Underwood's son Tyler and more assistants on Fighting Illini program – sportingnews.com

Inside Illinois' coaching staff: Meet Brad Underwood's son Tyler and more assistants on Fighting Illini program  sportingnews.com

Read moreInside Illinois' coaching staff: Meet Brad Underwood's son Tyler and more assistants on Fighting Illini program – sportingnews.com