As college basketball season approaches, Illinois coach Brad Underwood took the stage at Big Ten Media Days to share insights about his team and the upcoming season. Fans can sign up for a daily basketball newsletter from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey for more updates and analysis on Illinois and the world of college basketball.
Illinois Basketball Preview: Brad Underwood Addresses Media at Big Ten Media Days
As the 2022-23 college basketball season draws near, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood took the stage at Big Ten Media Days to provide insights about his team and the upcoming campaign.
Underwood's Optimism
Underwood expressed optimism for his squad, which returns four starters from last year's NCAA Tournament team. He highlighted the team's experience and leadership as strengths.
"We have a lot of experience coming back, and we have some really good leadership. I think we're a team that has a chance to compete for a Big Ten championship and make a run in the NCAA Tournament," Underwood said.
Key Additions
The Fighting Illini added several key transfers in the offseason, including Terrence Shannon Jr. (West Virginia) and Matthew Mayer (Baylor). Underwood believes these players will provide a significant boost.
"Terrence is a dynamic playmaker, and Matthew is a versatile wing who can shoot, pass, and defend," Underwood said.
Conference Outlook
Underwood expects the Big Ten to be one of the toughest conferences in the country, with several teams competing for the NCAA Tournament.
"The Big Ten is going to be really good this year. There's a lot of parity, and any team can beat any other team on any given night," Underwood said.
Fans' Expectations
Illinois fans have high expectations for the upcoming season after the team's success last year. Underwood acknowledged the pressure but expressed confidence in his team's ability to meet those expectations.
"We know there's a lot of excitement around this team, and we're excited to get started," Underwood said.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Illinois Basketball
1. Who are the team's key players to watch? A: Terrence Shannon Jr., Matthew Mayer, Kofi Cockburn
2. What are the team's strengths and weaknesses? A: Strengths: Experience, leadership; Weaknesses: Bench depth
3. How does the team fit into the Big Ten conference? A: Contender for Big Ten championship
4. What are the team's goals for the season? A: Big Ten championship, deep run in NCAA Tournament
5. What is the team's biggest challenge this season? A: Maintaining consistency and avoiding injuries
The second day of the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh saw a dominant performance by the Proteas, led by Kyle Verreynne's century. Despite a few hiccups, South Africa ended the day with the first-innings advantage, thanks to Verreynne and Dane Piedt's strong stand. Bangladeshi batsmen struggled against the South African bowlers, but Mahmudul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim's partnership brought stability to their team before the close of the day.
Mumbai's selection panel has dropped Prithvi Shaw from their team for the Ranji Trophy game against Tripura due to his lack of attendance at practice sessions and being overweight. The 24-year-old, who scored a hundred in his debut Test against West Indies, has faced off-field issues and injuries that have hindered his career progress. Former Australia player Ricky Ponting, who worked with Shaw at Delhi Capitals, also spoke about the batter's problems. Shaw's attitude and weight issues seem to have cost him potential spots in both domestic and national teams.
The eleventh season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 11) is underway and the excitement is palpable. With all the teams playing their opening games and no draws yet, the competition is fiercer than ever. After securing a hard-fought win against Bengal Warriors, the Jaipur Pink Panthers will face off against Telugu Titans, who have a mixed record so far. The Pink Panthers will look to continue their momentum, while the Titans will aim for a comeback after a loss to Tamil Thalaivas. With a history of close matches between the two teams, this is definitely not one to miss.
The former Australian opener, who announced his retirement earlier this year, has expressed his willingness to return to the national team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. With Australia needing a strong start in the series, Warner's availability could prove to be a game changer. The 37-year-old pointed out that he has had a similar preparation as the other players and will use his time in the Sheffield Shield to regain his form and fitness.
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is set to face his former coach, Hansi Flick, when his current team takes on FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. With his contract expiring soon, Kimmich has been linked to the Catalan giants for over a year. The player himself has admitted that this match will be special for him, not only because of his potential transfer, but also due to the reunion with Flick, who played a pivotal role in his growth as a versatile player. Kimmich also compared his former teammate, Robert Lewandowski, with his current teammate, Harry Kane, highlighting the different styles they bring to their respective teams.
After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bournemouth, Arsenal are gearing up to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the newly revamped Champions League League Phase. The Gunners may be without Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring injury, while captain Martin Ødegaard is also currently unfit. As both teams fight for a top spot in the league, fans can catch the match for free.
Bangladesh is fighting to save the first Test against South Africa as they reached 101-3 at stumps, still needing 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (38) and Mushfiqur Rahim (31) showed resilience and remained unbeaten at the end of play, with their 42-run stand for the fourth wicket. Additionally, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi to cross 6,000 career Test runs. South Africa's Kyle Verreynne's century helped the visitors secure a 202-run lead with a total of 308 in their first innings.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England has proposed a non-contact version of rugby to be introduced in schools as a way to tackle declining youth participation and concerns over head injuries. An independent review found that many schools with strong rugby traditions are no longer playing the sport due to safety concerns. This move aims to make the game more accessible and inclusive, while still retaining traditional elements such as line-outs and scrums. The RFU also plans to continue offering full-contact rugby for older players.
Glasgow, Scotland has been selected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing the multi-sport event back to their city after a successful 2014 run. With a focus on accessibility and showcasing top athletes, Glasgow 2026 will feature a compact programme of 10 sports across four venues. The event is expected to bring in over £100 million in investment and is set to have a unique branding that highlights the Commonwealth Games' role in the larger Commonwealth Sport Movement.
Central Coast Mariners are looking to turn around their underwhelming start in the AFC Champions League as they face off against Shanghai Port, managed by former A-League title winner, Kevin Muscat. With both teams desperate for a win, the stakes are high as Mariners coach, Mark Jackson, remains confident after their recent A-League draw against Melbourne Victory. However, Port will be looking to bounce back after a costly defeat in the Chinese Super League, slipping to second place in the standings.