Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest surprises for the Illini in 2017-2018

1 of 6

PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team didn’t perform the way most fans wanted them to this past season.

Illinois started the year off well only to finish with one of the worst records we have seen in the last few decades. Brad Underwood is going to turn this program around, though. They have some more talent coming in from the class of 2018 who will help get the Illini back to the postseason where they belong.

It was a tough season to go through, though. There were many surprises for the Illini this past season on both the good and bad ends of the spectrum. I enjoyed watching some of the freshmen play well. They are going to be the foundation for future success of this program. But, there were also players who didn’t do so hot as well. Some of these players aren’t with the team anymore and others need to get better for next year.

There were times I was pleasantly surprised with the players who were brought in by the former coach of the Illini. These players didn’t necessarily live up to expectations with the previous regime but had a tremendous season.

Here are my five biggest surprises for the Illini in 2017-18.

Home/Illinois Basketball