Before I somewhat rip into this team, props to Brad Underwood for getting this program back on track and making Illinois a team that is almost always in the conversation in March. Much better than the John Groce years,

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has voluntarily concentrated on recruiting international basketball players, emphasizing their rapid improvement as a result of early exposure to professional competition.

But after Illinois was dragged through the mud by No. 3 Duke on Saturday in New York, tagged with the worst loss in program history in a 110-67 blowout, the question was posed to Illini coach Brad Underwood in the postgame press conference: Is this team tough enough?

Underwood was referencing comments made by guard Kylan Boswell, who declared that the Fighting Illini got their swagger back in the win against Iowa.

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood spoke on forward Tre White's playing time, emphasizing team performance and health ahead of the MSU game.

Matt Painter was not happy with Purdue's epic collapse in the second half on the road against in-state rival Indiana.

The 43-point defeat for Illinois was the most lopsided loss in school history, and left Illini coach Brad Underwood with no other choice but to heap praise on Duke star Cooper Flagg, who scored 16 points, while adding seven rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes of action.

Curt Cignetti gave a blunt response to rumors of him influencing the Hoosiers' search for a new head basketball coach