There comes a time in every basketball team's journey where they can win games while having fun in the process, and Illinois basketball has embodied that mentality.
It's that moment where the entire Illini program is on the exact same page, and moving fluidly together, to the point where everything around them starts to drown out a bit. The stresses start to fade, the voices in their heads begin to soften, and the season just turns into a bunch of guys playing the game they love.
The best part about that is when a team has reached that point, they tend to break out some traditions that may seem a little odd to other programs. That is especially true with Brad Underwood's postgame Super Soaker battles that have turned into a viral sensation during this year's NCAA tournament.
Job ain’t done. pic.twitter.com/ELg1zt1D7S
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 29, 2026
It was a special time for Underwood, the staff, and the players as they were able to act like kids again after Illinois' 71-59 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight. They absolutely tore that locker room apart, with guys like David Mirkovic perched high atop the lockers at the Toyota Center.
It was a wild moment that had some fans asking, "How did he get up there?" and others screaming, "Be careful!" But this past Monday on Barstool Sports' wildly-popular podcast 'Pardon My Take,' Underwood gave us a little comedic insight on the situation and what transpired afterward.
Illinois fills the entire super soakers with water when they win #Dudesrock pic.twitter.com/27sdsTgbAD
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) March 30, 2026
Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9 product of Niksic, Montenegro, has been a pivotal piece of Illinois' success throughout this year's NCAA tournament. Through his first four tournament games, the big man has been averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 11 rebounds on 48.9% shooting from the field.
The young man has the ability to make an impact in any phase of the game, but also has a goofy and comedic side that has made him a tournament darling. He has been such a hit in front of the camera, to the point where news of him needing five men to help him down from the lockers can only be described as 'Mirk being Mirk.'
Illinois basketball needs to keep the tradition rolling in Indianapolis
The Illini are riding a wave of emotion after securing their first Final Four appearance since 2005. They are prepared as ever to walk into Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, and face the very best of the best.
It will be an emotional time for everyone involved, but it will also be a special time that we can cherish for the rest of our lives. This team needs to stay the course, which means that the Super Soakers are a must in Indy. They need to make the trip, and they need to finish what they started on the grandest stage of them all.
There are some folks, like Dan 'Big Cat' Katz in the above video, who say it may be getting too dangerous. But to me, I say don't break the streak that you're already on. Let the magic flow through the Super Soakers, and keep the vibes going.
But as a favor to Illini Nation, it would be nice if we could keep Mirkovic off of any tall structures for the foreseeable future.