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Fans cheer for Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood as he leaves the court following practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Illinois basketball has proof of concept despite tough loss to UConn

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 5, 2026

Illinois's final trip to the locker room is heartbreaking for Illini fans

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 4, 2026

UConn curse on Illinois basketball looks to be deeper than first thought

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Brad Underwood sent the perfect postgame Final four message to Illini fans

Josh Yourish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) goes to the basket against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball fell to Dan Hurley's UConn squad due to one crucial stat

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley

Dan Hurley used Illinois’s biggest advantage against Brad Underwood in the Final Four

Josh Yourish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

5 sad observations from the Illinois basketball loss to UConn in the Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Dan Hurley trolls Illinois fans in weak move right after UConn's Final Four win

Braulio Perez

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Remarkable stats proves Dan Hurley is officially a thorn in Brad Underwood's side

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) loses his footing against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four.

Illinois fans fume as viral clip from official March Madness account shows blatant foul

Sam Fariss

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Illinois fans are losing faith with Dan Hurley coaching circles around Brad Underwood

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 4, 2026

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer looks on against the UConn Huskies in the first half during the Elite Eight.

A Jon Scheyer recruitment photo proves Duke didn't belong in Final Four with Illinois

Sam Fariss

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Apr 4, 2026

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley’s bold Illinois/UConn Final Four prediction will have Illini fans oozing confidence

Josh Yourish

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Apr 4, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood reveals the difference in Illinois's UConn rematch, and it's not Keaton Wagler

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 4, 2026

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) fight for the ball in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

3 numbers that could expose Illinois basketball against UConn in the Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) collides with UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

3 numbers that could expose UConn against Illinois basketball in the Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball vs UConn betting lines show a nail-biting Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood directs players during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of Quentin Coleman

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 3, 2026

Principia Panthers guard Quentin Coleman (11) goes for a lay up during a City of Palms Classic semifinal game against the Paul VI Panthers at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

Brad Underwood continues to strike gold with huge Illinois basketball commitment

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 3, 2026

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Even if he's joking, Brad Underwood's game plan has pretty solid starting point

Sam Fariss

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Apr 3, 2026

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood claps from the sidelines during an NCAA college basketball game between Tennessee and Illinois at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.

UConn's serious injury issues could just be the edge Illinois needs in the Final Four

Sam Fariss

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Apr 3, 2026

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball just put the discussion of Chicago’s Big Ten team to bed

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 2, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood

UConn’s biggest NCAA Tournament struggle will play right into Brad Underwood’s hands

Josh Yourish

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Apr 2, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Elite Eight.

Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic can dunk, they just haven't yet

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

Feb 14, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood (right) gets a hug from Athletic Director Josh Whitman after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes.

This story from Illinois's last Final 4 will have fans falling in love with their AD

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Stephen A. Smith waves to the crowd while walking the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stephen A. Smith is on the Illinois bandwagon with everyone doubting Brad Underwood

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

Top Illinois basketball recruit took in the sights and sounds of Champaign

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 2, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self watches player intros prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Former Illinois basketball head coach not ready to hang up the clipboard

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 1, 2026

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