Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Student Correspondent
March 5, 2022
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Brad Underwood came to Illinois in the winter of 2017 with one main vision: win championships. Now, just four years removed from his introductory press conference, Underwood has turned a once struggling Illini program into consistent winners, led by the core group of fifth-year seniors Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams.
Coach Brad Underwood courtesy Joe Clark, IlliniGuys
Both men will take the State Farm Center floor one final time, as No. 20 Illinois will welcome No. 24 Iowa into Champaign during the last day of the Big Ten regular season. Contingent on the Wisconsin-Nebraska outcome, Illinois would clinch a share of the conference title with a Cornhuskers upset win.
Underwood was highly complementary of Frazier. The Florida native was one of the few recruits that stayed during Underwood’s first two years of growing pains, including the worst conference record in recent memory.
“Trent took to heart that he was always going to be little and that he needed to be the hardest playing guy on the court. His pride, will to win is what I respect the most about him,” Underwood said during the pre-game press conference. “I'm very emotional, I wear my emotions on my sleeve. When you have players like Trent and Da'Monte...to see what they grow into is why I do this.”
Underwood also touched on Kofi Cockburn and his time with the basketball program. The junior center has already gained traction as a prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. With all of this in mind, the fourth-year Illini coach plans to honor one of Big Ten’s best during the pre-game senior ceremony.
“It is information gathering time again for Kofi. I want him to have an opportunity to be celebrated, and that's why he's going through the ceremony tomorrow.”
The Illini played the Hawkeyes December 5, 2021 and won 87-83. A victory would cap off a season sweep and a potential share of the conference title.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
Illini FB & BB Updates & Phil Steele on the 2025 Illini FB Season - S5Ep2 - 8.22.25
Listen1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25
ListenThe Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496
ListenGreg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495
ListenInterviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25
ListenIllini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494
ListenIlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant
ListenIllini Football & Basketball, Hogan & Sandberg Pass & Cearah Parchment & Matt Stevens - S4Ep51 - 8.1.25
ListenOpinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491
ListenB1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II
ListenNBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25
Listen