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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 15, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Scoring Offense

This season and much of the last decade has been extremely frustrating to be an Illinois basketball fan. Both of the last two regimes have been slow on the offensive side of the court.

Bruce Weber’s Illini teams always stalled out especially toward the end of games. He didn’t have a high-power shooting bunch but focused more on defense. This made for lackluster offensive performances.

Groce’s teams were slightly different as he would substitute pointlessly during games and wouldn’t let players get into a rhythm. There was also not a lot of movement on offense either. This would ultimately lead to less offensive production.

Underwood is coming into this Illini program with two things working for him. The first thing is that he knows offense and that is what Illinois needs. They need a good offensive mind and that is his specialty.

The second thing is that this Illinois basketball team has the players to win right away. They have some really good talent that can wins games and get to the NCAA tournament in year one.

I love the players on this Illini team. They have the potential to be really good if they have a good coach like Underwood.

Coleman-Lands has a chance to be extremely special this season and the man getting him the ball, Te’Jon Lucas, will be amazing in a movement offense. These two are going to click like we haven’t seen in a long time.

I am also excited to see what Underwood can do with DJ Williams and Aaron Jordan. Both of these players weren’t used under Groce but they are talented players. These two will do wonders in this offense.

I haven’t even mentioned the class of 2017 and the potential all four of those players have as well. In addition to those mentioned, I am excited for Michael Finke and the rest of the cast.

Next: Brad Underwood is a great choice for Illini

The sky is the limit with Underwood teaching the offense for the Illini. I am excited to see what these players can really do on the court.

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