Brad Underwood references 'Pizza Hut parking lot' in appreciation of Tomislav Ivisic
Brad Underwood knows all about fighting it out in a Pizza Hut parking lot. And if he ever finds himself in that situation again, he’s hoping Illinois big man Tomislav Ivisic is on his side.
Underwood’s latest reference to Pizza Hut came Tuesday night following a late-game scuffle between Illinois and Indiana players. While the Illini had a big lead in hand, Ivisic got in the face of Luke Goode after a foul was called on a box out attempt by the Hoosier and former Illini.
It led to multiple flagrant fouls and the ejection of IU’s Oumar Ballo. But afterward, Underwood downplayed the incident and expressed his appreciation for the toughness shown by Ivisic. And the head coach used a unique way to describe that appreciation.
“If I had to go to the Pizza Hut parking lot, it’s probably not going to be against Tomi. He’s got some of that in him,” said Brad Underwood. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”
#illini Brad Underwood doesn’t want to fight PIZZA HUT TOMMY
“If I had to go to the Pizza Hut parking lot, it’s probably not going to be against Tomislav Ivisic. He’s got some of that in him.”
“I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Last 2nd half, a scuffle broke out between Ivisic and… pic.twitter.com/ALEM5WLNq4
— Carson Gourdie (@GourdieReport) January 15, 2025
Fans likely recognize the sentiment shared by Underwood, but he first referenced fights in a Pizza Hut parking lot following a loss to Rutgers in 2022. At that time, Underwood was disappointed that Rutgers was tougher than Illinois, saying it was “bullshit” that the Scarlet Knights “kicked our ass” after taking them to the Pizza Hut parking lot.
Asked to explain the reference at the time, Underwood referenced Pizza Hut as the place disputes were resolved in his upbringing:
“When I was in high school, that’s where you went when you wanted to throw down,” said Underwood. “You drag Main Street, someone rear-ended you, bumped you at the stoplight. We had a 5-stoplight town. We turned around at the Dairy Queen parking lot, but you wanted to get away from Main Street so you’re away from the cops. And the Pizza Hut sat off the interstate, so we all went to the Pizza Hut parking lot whenever we needed a good throw down.”