NCAA Tournament Notebook: Illini’s Brad Underwood on Xavier’s Offensive Pace: ‘We run with everybody’

Illinois first-year forward/center Morez Johnson says left wrist is “100 percent healthy and I’m ahead of the rehab schedule”.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 21, 2025

MILWAUKEE — When asked the question Thursday if his Illinois team can handle a frantic, up-and-down pace for their NCAA Tournament first-round game against 11-seed Xavier, Brad Underwood was defiant that his team can’t possibly be run off the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The Illini eight-year head coach doesn’t look at Xavier’s No. 9 national ranking in transition offense or their 17 . . .

 

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

584 IlliniGuys with the Illini at the Final Four

Listen

4.3.26 - Final Four Show

Listen

583 - Jay Price & Brian Barnhart Talk Illini Final Four

Listen

582 - Illini Assistant Coach Geoff Alexander

Listen

581 Illini Legend Eddie Johnson Talks Illini Final Four

Listen

580 Illini Getting Ready for Final Four

Listen

579 Illini are Final Four Bound

Listen

578 Illini vs Iowa Preview

Listen

3.27.26 - Illini 2nd EE in 3 Years & IlliniGal CeCe Parchment

Listen

576 - Illini Earn 2nd Elite 8 Appearance in 3 Years

Listen

575 Sweet 16 - Illini Bust Up VCU 76-55

Listen

3.20.26 March Madness and Matt Brown on NIL

Listen

574 Mirk & the Illini Roll Over Penn 105-70

Listen

573 The 2026 NCAA Tournament Show

Listen

572 Illini Lose Big Lead vs Badgers

Listen