Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood expressed his disappointment following his team’s 82-72 loss to the Southern California Trojans on January 11, 2025. After the game, Underwood highlighted critical issues regarding the team’s performance and commitment during the match, particularly in terms of rebounding and ball control.
Underwood noted that Illinois was outrebounded 37-34, which is unusual for a team that usually excels in this area. He indicated, “Shows where our mental focus was. Not taking anything away from them. They completely outplayed us. They kicked our butt.” Key players struggled to contribute on the boards, with starting guard Will Riley securing only one rebound, and starting center Tomislav Ivisic and forward Tre White adding just three and four rebounds, respectively.
In addition to the rebounding woes, Illinois committed 15 turnovers throughout the game, with Underwood lamenting, “The turnovers — first possession of the game — I mean it just went downhill from there.” He emphasized that the team lacked the necessary mental focus, stating, “We knew exactly what they were going to do, and we had no idea.”
Desmond Claude of USC stood out in the game, scoring an impressive 31 points, further complicating Illinois’s efforts. Underwood commented on his team’s lack of offensive cohesion, characterizing their ball movement as “pathetic” and highlighting that they resorted to one-on-one plays rather than working as a cohesive unit.
Additionally, Underwood questioned whether he should have injected more energy into the lineup by playing reserves Keaton Kutcher and AJ Redd, who did not see action during the game. He reflected on the need to reassess the team’s approach, suggesting, “I guess we’re going to have to start getting up at 5 (a.m.) and having shootaround and get the blood boiling because we had nothing today.”
As the Illini, currently ranked No. 13 in The Associated Press poll, prepare for their next matchup against Indiana, it is crucial for the team to refocus and regain their competitive spirit. The strong emphasis on mental preparation and teamwork could prove vital as they look to bounce back from this setback and solidify their standing in the Big Ten conference. With a 12-4 overall record and a strong determination to improve, the Fighting Illini have the opportunity to turn the tide in their upcoming games.