After a win over Michigan on Sunday, the Illini impressed their coach with their ability to bounce back from a low point

And even though Flagg further showcased he is ready for the next level Saturday in New York City, Illinois coach Brad Underwood made a pitch to convince the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft to stay in college. REQUIRED READING ...

NEW YORK CITY — Brad Underwood called his team back to their corner of the ring with consecutive timeouts in the span of 69 not-so-nice seconds at the start of the second half. Dazed ...

Just this week, head coach Brad Underwood was finally able to hold near full practices. More importantly, the Illini appear to be getting healthy at the right time. The game at Michigan on Sunday followed a 20-point win at home against Iowa.

Despite railing to beat Purdue for the first time since the onset of the global pandemic, Illinois might take a step back ahead of the Big Ten Tournament.

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?

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood watched Saturday night as his team took the worst loss in program history. The Fighting Illini got shellacked by the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Duke whipped Illinois 110-67.