Can Illinois Be a Final Four Contender with Defensive Struggles? Underwood Suggests Yes

Despite having a KenPom.com defensive efficiency rating of No. 94, Illinois is still near the top of a Big Ten Conference that has more offensive weapons than previous seasons.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Despite Brad Underwood knowing his team was likely to win, a perfectly completed action resulting in a three-point shot by Mike Mitchell Jr. resulted in the Illinois seventh year head coach screaming at the top of his lungs and slamming his right fist on the scorer's table next to his bench. 

During the post-game radio interview following the . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

July 26 Weekend - Hour 2 - S3 Ep 50

Listen

July 26 Weekend - Hour 1 - S3 Ep 50

Listen

B1G Football Media Days Takeaways, B1G Athletes in the 2024 Olympics & Deadpool & Wolverine Opens - Heat Checks & Hail Marys July 25

Listen

Brad Sturdy & Kedric Prince Talk Illini Basketball Roster, Recruiting & Expectations #381

Listen

Kevin Mitchell Rose Bowl Co-Captain and Busey Bank Illini Radio Network Broadcaster #380

Listen

Derek Harper Illini Legend & NBA Broadcaster #379

Listen

July 19 Weekend - Hour 2 - S3 Ep 49

Listen

July 19 Weekend - Hour 1 - S3 Ep 49

Listen

Marcus Griffin Illini Legend #378

Listen

Illini Roster NBA Potential, Positional Size & Boxing's Love of Undefeated

Listen

B1G Football, Illini Basketball Recruiting & John Cena Retires & Make-A-Wish Record

Listen

July 12 Weekend - Hour 1 - S3 Ep48

Listen

July 12 Weekend - Hour 2 - S3 Ep48

Listen

CJ Moore & Mike Farrell - National Eyes on Illini Basketball & Football #377

Listen

Eddie Johnson Illini Legend & NBA Broadcaster #376

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2021 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.