Dan Hurley’s UConn had the entire country on the edge of its seat. When Braylon Mullins’ last-second shot swished against Duke, it sent shockwaves across the college basketball world. Heart rates went up. Mullins’ name is now engraved in history and it is  termed as an iconic March Madness moment. However, the person for whom this game was the most important, Brad Underwood, was not watching at all.    

The Fighting Illini defeated Iowa State in the Sweet 16 and then cinderella team Iowa in the Elite 8 to book their place in the Final 4.  So, you would think Underwood would be glued to the screen to find out who their opponent will be. Yet, he missed what may go down as one of the tournament’s defining moments.

“I missed it,” Underwood said in an interview on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “My SID is to blame. I got to throw Derrick Burson under the bus. He’s got me doing Zooms, media Zooms. I’m doing Zooms and I don’t have the game on. All the meanwhile, my staff would kind of poke their head in and it would be Duke thumbs up, and so I’m not watching it.”

By “SID,” he was referring to the Sports Information Director or Director of Athletics Communication who manages all the media responsibilities of the team. The occupational hazards came in the way of Underwood watching, and there is nothing he can do. The mandatory sessions are difficult to reschedule too, as the reporters have their own schedules. In addition, he had a future Illini visiting the school. 

“On top of that, we got a young man on campus, a recruit on campus as well,” he said. “I literally get done and I walk down to meet the recruit and everybody’s just freaking out, and then I see all the highlights. So yeah, I can honestly say I was not watching.”

The way the game ended, it would be surprising if the Illini squad hadn’t gone crazy. I mean, Dan Hurley almost headbutted the referee after that game-winner. And when Underwood finally watched the highlights, he was left awestruck too. “Epic,” he said. “The first thing I thought of seriously was Christian Laettner. I said that’s in the same category. Then I felt bad for Jon, and we recruited Boozer and know what a wonderful young guy that is. Just a tough play. Then I think March Madness, and that’s why it’s got the name Madness.”

Underwood will hope the luck doesn’t fall on UConn when they face each other. He is great friends with Dan Hurley. Hurley even texted Underwood to invite him for a “drink or dinner. ” Ahead of the biggest game of the season, Underwood is targeting a win but he still has gratitude for how this season has gone. 

Brad Underwood Get’s Real About Final Four Opportunity Against Dan Hurley

UConn and Illinois are polar opposites when it comes to recent postseason experience. The Huskies have won two National Championships in the last 4 years, while Illinois is in the Final Four for the first time since 2005. It is also the first of Brad Underwood’s career. And after the way UConn got here, the momentum is with Hurley’s side. Despite the stakes being the highest, Brad Underwood and Illinois are finding ways to keep it light. 

“I enjoy this team,” Underwood said. “It makes me happy. They make me smile. They make me laugh. We’ve had very few miserable days or bad days of practice. This team just doesn’t have them. So, yeah, to be able to extend that [opportunity to practice and play], you know, we’re going into April practice. Not many teams get to do that. I’m blessed I get to do that.”

Like we have seen crazy things happen in March. This Illinois side can go head to head with UConn with the likes of Keaton Wagler and Andrej Stojakovic in their ranks. But if the ghosts catch up before the game, the game could be lost even before tip off. “You have to enjoy it,” Underwood said. “You have to be excited about what you’ve accomplished and yet know that the job is far from done. We’re taking everything day-by-day.”

Illinois lost 61-74 when they faced off earlier this season. Wagler struggled, scoring just 3 points as the Huskies rallied to a win. However, since then both teams have changed. This weekend’s final four clash is set to be one for the ages.