Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies are set to face Brad Underwood’s Illinois in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
Huskies insider David Borges has revealed that Hurley texted coach Underwood last year in November. Broges posted on X, writing:
“Hurley said he texted Illini coach Brad Underwood after their teams met on Nov. 28: ‘Let’s meet up in Indy. And I didn’t mean for a drink, or for dinner. I thought he had a great team, and I thought we did, too.'”
The UConn Huskies won their Elite Eight game against Duke in miraculous fashion. Underwood’s team won against Iowa in the Elite Eight. Huskies and Illinois have had similar seasons. Both teams have had their share of ups and downs.
UConn had a 17-3 Big East and a 33-5 overall record. Illinois had a 15-5 Big Ten record with 28-8 overall. Despite Illinois’ record being a little bleak compared to UConn’s, Brad Underwood’s team has been underrated. They have shown that they are not to be underestimated, as they can surprise any team.
The two teams met earlier in the season when UConn was 5-1, and Illinois was 6-1. UConn was rather comfortable victors in that game, 74-61. After the game, Hurley sent the aforementioned message to Underwood.
Brad Underwood makes his feelings clear about UConn veteran Alex Karaban
There has been a lot of attention around Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler. He has averaged 17.9 points with 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Wagler won the Big Ten Player of the Year award. Many have predicted that he is destined to become a top-10 NBA Draft pick.
Despite not having an out-and-out superstar like Wagler, UConn does have a veteran who has never let them down. And Brad Underwood only had praise for Alex Karaban.
“Winner. Winner. Dives on the floor for loose balls… Never comes off the floor. Guards, fights, competes, all the intangible things that it takes to win games. He has been instilled with all of those. I enjoy watching him a lot,” Underwood said.
Read more:
Controversy Brewing as Referee Roger Ayers Gets Snubbed From Final Four Crew
“I Don’t Know If He Got Black in Him”: Gilbert Arenas Hilariously Reacts to Viral Dan Hurley Moment
UConn Veteran Alex Karaban Makes Honest Comment on Dan Hurley’s ‘Psychopath’ Side
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