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Illinois Basketball: 5 reasons to be excited about Brad Underwood

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood coaches his team against Baylor Bears during the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Baylor won 72-69. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood coaches his team against Baylor Bears during the second half of a NCAA basketball game at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Baylor won 72-69. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

Jalen Coleman-Lands

When Jalen Coleman-Lands entered the Illinois basketball program I thought, and still do think, he was going to be the best three-point shooter in program history. This kid had it all when it came to shooting the deep ball.

In year one in Champaign, Coleman-Lands averaged 10.3 PPG but he was more important than just his points per game average. He was the sharp-shooter that Illinois needed heading into the future. He averaged shooting 6.1 three-pointers per game and made them at a clip of 42.2-percent.

Coleman-Lands sophomore campaign didn’t go as well as his freshman season, though. I thought he would take a step forward but it was clearly a baby step backward. He only managed to average 8 PPG and he lowered his shot output to 5.3 three-pointers per game and he only made them at a clip of 37.7-percent.

With Underwood coming into the program I look for him to utilize Coleman-Lands to the best of his abilities. He will be able to move in space and get open so he can knock down three-pointers.

This is going to be a huge change for the entire Illinois basketball team, let alone Coleman-Lands who needs to move in space. I am excited to see what he can do with Underwood teaching him.

Illinois will form into a more effective three-point shooting team and Coleman-Lands will lead the way. The Illini only shot 671 three-pointers last season compared to Oklahoma State shooting 732 three-pointers.

That is a lot more offensive production and I can’t wait to see Coleman-Lands blossom under Underwood.

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