Illinois MBB coach Brad Underwood refuses to dwell on Final Four past, turns page to 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In the modern landscape of college basketball, roster turnover is the new normal.
For Illinois coach Brad Underwood, however, the challenge of integrating new faces goes far beyond just learning names and **** ignments. As the Fighting Illini navigate the dog days of summer, Underwood is making it clear that his group is focused on forging its own path rather than looking in the rearview mirror at previous achievements.
For a program that has seen significant highs in recent years, there is often a temptation to rest on the memories of past teams. Underwood is actively guarding against that. As the team works through its summer development program, the message remains centered on the unique identity of the 2026-27 roster.
"This team will have its own identity," Underwood told reporters. "They'll have their own mannerisms. They'll have their own characteristics. They'll have their own style."
In the modern landscape of college basketball, roster turnover is the new normal.
For Illinois coach Brad Underwood, however, the challenge of integrating new faces goes far beyond just learning names and **** ignments. As the Fighting Illini navigate the dog days of summer, Underwood is making it clear that his group is focused on forging its own path rather than looking in the rearview mirror at previous achievements.
For a program that has seen significant highs in recent years, there is often a temptation to rest on the memories of past teams. Underwood is actively guarding against that. As the team works through its summer development program, the message remains centered on the unique identity of the 2026-27 roster.
"This team will have its own identity," Underwood told reporters. "They'll have their own mannerisms. They'll have their own characteristics. They'll have their own style."
4 months ago
