Brad Underwood is turning the Illinois basketball program into Guard U

The Brad Underwood era of Illinois basketball is becoming a plug-and-play ecosystem for playmakers who want to make it to the next level.

LSU has called itself Defensive Back U for generations. 

And rightfully so. They have sent players like Mo Claiborne, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Matthieu, LaRon Landry, and Derek Stingley Jr. to the NFL.

Illinois football has staked a claim to DB U with Kerby Joseph, Sydney Brown, Quan Martin, the irrepressible Tony Adams, Nate Hobbs, and Mr. All-World Devon WItherspoon. Sure, not as many All-Pro level guys, but Keynodo Hudson, Aaron Henry, Ryan Walters, and Corey Parker have been getting ‘em to the league.

Whether you are an on-ball playmaker or a shot-creating sharpshooter, the Illinois basketball offense can revolve around your skill set. The scheme is malleable, adjusting to its personnel instead of finding personnel to match the system.

Which brings us to the ultimate test case: John Blackwell

Before digging into John Blackwell’s potential to soar at Illinois, let’s be clear about one thing: Whether or not Blackwell commits to the Illini, Illinois will have every chance to field a top 10 team next year. 

A big part of that confidence stems from Illinois’ ability to attract gifted guards and enable them to make it to the league.

Now that Keaton Wagler has officially declared for the NBA Draft, he will make it three years in a row that Illinois has had a guard/wing selected in the first round.

Not bad for a school that went nine years between Meyers Leonard and Ayo Dosunmu being drafted, I would say.

How does John Blackwell fit in Illinois basketball offense?

As easily as any transfer portal player in recent memory. He’s an even better fit than prior white whale-level targets AJ Storr and RayJ Dennis.

Blackwell averaged 19.1 points per game on 39% from behind the three-point arc. He’s a volume scorer who would give Illinois a legit senior sniper who can put a team on his back. He can shoot from deep and create open shots for others with his innate ability to draw multiple defenders.

While he’s not a clear first-round pick, a season in Tyler Underwood’s system and one of the most talented rosters in the nation will shine the brightest light on

But what if Illinois has to go in a different direction?

Illinois has demonstrated that creative on-ball playmakers (Keaton Wagler, Kasparas Jakucionis), lanky three-level wings (Will Riley), and downhill two-way menaces (Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr.) can all thrive in Illinois’ system.

The system itself adjusts to its personnel instead of forcing players into a box. So even if Blackwell chooses Duke, Alabama, UCLA, or some other option, Illinois will have guards wanting to play in this system for this coaching staff.

And with Wagler heading to the NBA, Illinois will have the roster space and financial largesse for multiple impact guards.

Whether it's Providence playmaker Stefan Vaaks, VCU scorer Terrence Hill Jr., a floor general moonshot like Acaden Lewis, or a sniper like Paul McNeil Jr. or Rowan Brumbaugh, the Illini can bring in the right mix of familiarity, experience, and firepower to make another deep tournament run in 2027.