Ayrton Oneill
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has had a long history of success, with 1,927 wins in its 120-year history, ranking 16th in Division I. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 35 times, reaching the Final Four 5 times and winning 18 Big Ten regular-season championships. However, they have yet to win a national title under Brad Underwood, who became head coach in 2017. Despite some initial setbacks, Underwood has led the Illini to consistent success, including 10+ Big Ten wins in the last 6 seasons. With a strong recruiting class and experienced transfers, the Illini are considered a top 10 team heading into the 2024-25 season and are widely regarded as a rising force in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Coach | Brad Underwood |
| Current Players | Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Ben Humrichous, Kylan Boswell, Kasparas Jakučionis, Will Riley |
| Former Players | Walt Moore, Max Hooper, Coleman Hawkins, Dain Dainja, Luke Goode |
| Former Coaches | John Groce, Doug Mills, Harry Combes, Howie Braun, Harv Schmidt, Gene Bartow, Lou Henson |
| Assistant Coaches | Chester Frazier, Tim Anderson, Orlando Antigua, Kwa Jones |
| Achievements | 1,927 wins, 1 pre-tournament national championship, 2 non-NCAA tournament national championships, 5 Final Four appearances, 10 Elite Eight appearances, 18 Big Ten regular season championships, 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships |
| Rankings | Ranked No. 22 in AP Top 25 poll, Ranked No. 9 in NCAA NET rankings, Ranked strongest team in the Big Ten by NET formula |
| Arena | Huff Gymnasium (renamed Assembly Hall in 1963), Huff Hall, Kenney Gym Annex, State Farm Center |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team's history
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team that competes in the Big Ten Conference. The team represents the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and plays home games at the State Farm Center on the university's Champaign campus.
The Fighting Illini men's basketball team began play during the 1905–06 season, with Elwood Brown guiding the team to a 9–8 record as their first coach. Before the 1936–37 season, Douglas R. Mills became head coach and athletic director, leading the Illini to a 14–4 (10–2) record and a share of the Big Ten title with Minnesota in his first season. Mills left the position to focus on his duties as athletic director, and was succeeded by Champaign High School basketball coach Harry Combes.
Combes led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Final Four appearances in 1949, 1951, and 1952. During his tenure, he increased the team's offensive output by implementing a full-court press defense, resulting in a high rate of turnovers and fast-break points. In 1951, Combes signed Walt Moore, the first Black player to represent the Illinois Fighting Illini. Combes' tenure, however, ended due to the University of Illinois slush fund scandal, as he held a key role in the scandal as head coach.
Following Combes' forced resignation, former Illini player Harv Schmidt was hired as head coach. During his tenure, the team compiled a 89-77 overall record but fell short in conference play with a 43-55 record. The Illini did not make any postseason appearances under Schmidt's leadership. Gene Bartow replaced Schmidt in 1974 but left after one season, and Lou Henson from New Mexico State took over as head coach in 1975.
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has achieved notable success throughout its history. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 35 times, competed in 5 Final Fours, 10 Elite Eights, and won 18 Big Ten regular-season championships, and 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships. They hold the distinction of having 1,927 wins, ranking 16th in all of Division I.
In recent years, the team has been coached by Brad Underwood, who was hired on March 18, 2017. Underwood's arrival generated significant interest and intrigue, with a sellout crowd attending a charity exhibition game soon after his appointment. While Underwood's initial seasons faced challenges and off-the-court issues, he has led the Illini to consistent success. Through the end of the 2023–24 season, Illinois ranks 13th in winning percentage and wins among NCAA Division I men's college basketball programs. The team is considered a top 10 contender heading into the upcoming season, with returning players Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn joining a veteran squad bolstered by young talent.
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Brad Underwood's coaching
Brad Underwood was hired as the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team on March 18, 2017. He replaced John Groce, signing a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million. Prior to his role at Illinois, Underwood served as head coach at Oklahoma State, Stephen F. Austin, Dodge City Community College, and Daytona Beach Community College. He also held assistant coaching positions at Western Illinois, Kansas State, and South Carolina.
Underwood's coaching style has been described as intense and challenging. While his teams have achieved on-court success, there have also been off-the-court issues, including allegations of verbal abuse, racial harassment, and punitive use of physical activity during his first season at Illinois. A month-long review in the summer of 2018 found that Underwood's coaching style was not abusive or in violation of any university or DIA policies.
Underwood has led Illinois to consistent success, including 10+ Big Ten wins in all of his first six seasons, 80 total Big Ten wins, and 34 Big Ten road wins—the most of any B1G team. The Illini are widely considered a top 10 team in the country heading into the upcoming season, and Underwood's impact on the program's rise is undeniable.
In addition to his coaching duties, Underwood has served on the Coaches Council of Coaches vs. Cancer throughout his career and was awarded the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award in 2023. He also hosts an annual fundraiser called "Kickin' Cancer" in his home state of Illinois.
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The team's performance in the 2024-25 season
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team that competes in the Big Ten Conference. The team is currently coached by Brad Underwood, who was hired on March 18, 2017.
Underwood's first few seasons had their challenges, but the team has since seen significant improvements. In the 2024-25 season, the Illinois basketball team is considered one of the most intriguing college basketball teams in the country, with a top recruiting class and a strong mix of experienced players and talented freshmen.
The team has a challenging schedule for the season, facing off against top-ranked opponents such as No. 2 Alabama, No. 12 Tennessee, and No. 16 Arkansas before Christmas, and a showcase against No. 7 Duke in February. Despite the challenges, the team has performed well, moving up in the rankings and even reaching the top 10 in the NET rankings, which are considered more scientific and data-influenced.
The Illini's success in the 2024-25 season can be attributed to Underwood's strategic roster-building approach and impeccable timing. By focusing on both talented freshmen and experienced transfers, he has created a well-rounded team. Additionally, the team's strong performance has improved their profile and increased their chances of being recognized by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
While the Illinois basketball team has not yet won a national title, their consistent success under Underwood's leadership, including multiple Big Ten wins, has put them on the rise. Their performance in the 2024-25 season has further solidified their position as a top college basketball team in the country.
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The team's ranking in the NCAA NET rankings
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team that has enjoyed a rich history of success, currently sitting at 13th in all-time wins among Division I men's college basketball programs.
The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 35 times, reaching the Final Four on five occasions, the Elite Eight ten times, and winning 18 Big Ten regular-season championships and four Big Ten Tournament Championships.
In recent years, the Illini have shown promising signs of a resurgence. In 2020, Brad Underwood's team was considered a top-10 team in the country heading into the season, with returning stars Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn joining a veteran squad bolstered by young talent.
Underwood, who took over as head coach in 2017, has led Illinois to impressive consistency in the Big Ten, including 10+ conference wins in each of his first six seasons, 80 total Big Ten wins, and 34 Big Ten road wins, unmatched by any other Big Ten team.
Despite this success, Illinois has yet to capture a national championship, which has kept them from being considered a true powerhouse in college basketball.
As of 2024, the Illinois men's basketball team was ranked 9th in the NCAA NET rankings, showcasing their continued competitiveness and potential to rise even further in the coming seasons.
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The team's performance in the NCAA Tournament
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 35 times and has a strong winning percentage, ranking 13th all-time in NCAA Division I.
Champaign High School basketball coach Harry Combes was hired as the head coach in 1949, and during his first five seasons, he led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Final Four appearances in 1949, 1951, and 1952. Combes implemented a Full-court press defense, which caused a high rate of turnovers and translated into fast break points. However, Combes' tenure ended due to the University of Illinois slush fund scandal, and assistant coach Howie Braun also lost his job.
The Illini then went through a period of ups and downs, with coaches Harv Schmidt and Gene Bartow failing to make any postseason appearances. Lou Henson replaced Bartow in 1975 and led the team to success, but Illinois still struggled to maintain consistency.
In recent years, under head coach Brad Underwood, hired in 2017, the Illini have shown promise. In the 2024-25 season, they were considered one of the most intriguing college basketball teams in the country, with Underwood's recruiting class considered his best yet. The team has had strong performances in the NCAA Tournament, including in 2025, where they entered as the #6 seed in the Midwest region. They won their first game against Xavier but then lost to Kentucky in the second round.
Despite their successes, Illinois has yet to win a national title, which is the key accomplishment they need to be considered a powerhouse program. However, with their strong performances and consistent improvement, the Illini are definitely a team to watch in the NCAA Tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
Illinois basketball has been on the rise since Brad Underwood took over as head coach in 2017. In the last 6 seasons (since 2019-20), Underwood has led Illinois to 10+ Big Ten wins each year, 80 Big Ten wins, and 34 Big Ten road wins.
Illinois has one pre-tournament national championship and two non-NCAA tournament national championships in 1915 and 1943. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 35 times, competed in 5 Final Fours, 10 Elite Eights, won 18 Big Ten regular-season championships, and 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships.
Some notable players on the Illinois basketball team include Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Kasparas Jakučionis, and Will Riley.
The Illinois basketball team's head coach is Brad Underwood. The assistant coaches are Orlando Antigua and Kwa Jones.
Some key storylines for the Illinois basketball team this season include the departure of several key players, the addition of experienced transfers, and the recruitment of a strong freshman class. The team also has a tough schedule, facing several highly-ranked opponents early in the season.
