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Brad Underwood highlights areas of improvement for Illini following disappointing loss in Braggin’ Rights series to Missouri
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Brad Underwood knows there’s improvements to be made after Illinois took a beatdown at the hands of Missouri on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Tigers and Illini met up in St. Louis for the annual Braggin’ Rights matchup. Last year, the Illini took home the win for the first time in four years. Illinois entered the matchup No. 16 with an 8-3 record this season.
This year, the trophy will head back to Columbia after the Tigers handily defeated the Illini 93-71.
Meeting with the media after the game, Underwood expressed his displeasure with the game and how the Illini played overall.
“That was horrible. As a coach getting these guys prepared, I didn’t do a very good job,” said Underwood. “They out-toughed us. They out-fought us. They took our ball. They out-executed us.”
#illini Brad Underwood: That was horrible. As a coach getting these guys prepared, I didn't do a very good job. They out-toughed us. They out-fought us. They took our ball. They out-executed us.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) December 23, 2022
Underwood also noted how there was a lack of execution on the offensive side of the ball. Underwood said that the lack of execution on offense led to bad defense.
#Illini Underwood: Got to clean up the offensive execution, which was led to bad defense. Probably the worst defense that I’ve seen in my time here.
— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) December 23, 2022
Lastly, Underwood harped on the Fighting Illini’s passing. Making one pass and shooting the ball did not do them any favors during the game.
#Illini Underwood: We’re making one pass and shooting it. Not trying to run anything. Not trying to execute anything.
— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) December 23, 2022
The Illini will have some time to clean things up before facing Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 29.