Men’s basketball took center stage at the Big Ten Media Days, and the Illinois Fighting Illini are coming in confident after going on a deep run in March in 2024.

But this season’s roster won’t look the same.

Terrance Shannon Jr. gone. Marcus Domask. Gone. Coleman Hawkins. Gone.

But for Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, after losing in blow out fashion to UConn Huskies n the Elite 8, he thought it was time to take the program’s talent level to the next level.

“And I said, if that’s a national championship team we had to improve. We had to get better,” said Underwood. “We’re trying to win a national championship.”

Nearly a dozen new players on the roster, and Underwood isn’t complaining.

The Illini are loaded up with projected NBA first round draft picks, Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis. They also added Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell, a point guard.

“This is the most talented roster I have been a part of,” said Ty Rodgers, one of only two returning players from last season.

The new additions are looking to get used to Brad Underwood’s aggressive coaching style and learn to play together as a team.

“He is crazy. I love Coach Brad but he is crazy,” said Rodgers. “But he wants the best for us. He does things to help us win. I mean look at his resume. I think that’s enough to want to listen to him right there.”

How does Coach compare this team to last years?

“Higher ceiling, for sure, I’ve said that since middle of June,” said Underwood.

He loves his offense. They got size and shoot the ball well. Underwood says they’re picking up the offensive schemes fairly well.

But he was critical of the defense, citing youth and a lack of toughness. Underwood is taking matters into his own hands.

“Defensively right now, a seventh grade middle school team would might hang 100 on us. We stink,” said Underwood.

“Tonight, at 5:30 PM when I get out of (Media Days), we’ll have a really inspired practice on the defensive side,” he added.

Underwood may be critical now about his defense, but overall, his program has won the most Big Ten games in the last five seasons, and it’s gained respect from the media.

In the Big Ten preseason poll, despite losing nearly every player, Illinois is projected to finish 4th in the conference.

“Now we have to go prove it,” said Underwood. “This group has to understand there’s pressure with that. There’s expectations. But as I told them, we sprint to that.”

And the Illini could have a new fan favorite on campus. Boswell, a talented transfer from Arizona, plays good defense and is an excellent three point shooter. He shot 39% from the three-point line last season in Arizona.

Boswell was raised Champaign as a kid. Underwood heavily recruited him two seasons ago, and the coach never gave up. Once Boswell entered the transfer portal, Underwood contacted him immediately.

Boswell decided it was time to come home.

“Definitely growing up watching the team and seeing them continue to get better over the years, it’s a really cool moment for me,” said Boswell.

Illinois’ season tips off on November 4th, taking on the Eastern Illinois Panthers.