CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois basketball is on the road this weekend to challenge Ole Miss in preseason action. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is looking forward to seeing how his new – and returning – players gel together at the start of a new season. Illinois had only two players return from last year’s Elite 8 roster, but the team is still ranked #26. The Illini are led by Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell and freshman Kasparas Jakucionis.
Underwood says the Illinois football program season’s success is a motivating factor for the basketball program. “Success is the most infectious drug of all time. Our guys see what is happening in the football program and they want to experience that for themselves and for the fans.”