Brad Underwood praises defensive potential, tough nonconference slate for Illinois in 2022-23

Brad Underwood is entering his sixth season leading the Illinois basketball program, and he’s trying to lead a new-look roster into his first Sweet 16 appearance since taking over the program.

During the 2021-22 season, Illinois took home a share of the regular-season B1G title. Unfortunately, the Illini lost a number of key pieces from that team, including veteran guard Trent Frazier and star big man Kofi Cockburn.

Despite those departures, Underwood addressed the media Monday and revealed he believes this year’s squad could be the best defensive team he’s had to date. He said the team’s condition is ahead of schedule compared to years past.

#illini Brad Underwood: I think this can be one of the best defensive teams we’ve had.

“Now that I’ve said that, we’ll probably give up 100.”

— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) September 26, 2022

#illini Brad Underwood: From a conditioning standpoint I feel like we’re at a point we haven’t been. We’re much further ahead.

Says that was intentional with a heavy dose of conditioning in the fall.

— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) September 26, 2022

As for a nonconference schedule that includes the likes of Syracuse, Texas and UCLA, Underwood knows that slate will test the Illini. But he also admitted that’s the point of scheduling those contests.

#illini Brad Underwood: Excited about the tough non-conference schedule, which “will test us,” but that’s why we scheduled it.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) September 26, 2022

We’ll see how the Illini shape up with a lot of new faces when the season rolls around.