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
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of their north London rivals Arsenal, in what turned out to be one of their worst performances of the season. Manager Thomas Frank's tactics and team selection came under scrutiny after he opted for a back three, which he eventually changed at half-time. The defeat saw Spurs record their lowest expected goals (xG) of the season, with just 0.07 xG registered against Arsenal. With just three wins in their last 11 games, Tottenham's season seems to be spiraling downwards and manager Thomas Frank has apologized to fans for their dismal display.
Get ready for a thrilling match as Arsenal, the current leaders of the Premier League table, face off against their rivals Tottenham in the highly-anticipated north London derby. Sky customers can tune in to watch the game on Sky Sports at 4pm or stream it on the Sky Sports app. Non-Sky customers can also catch the action by purchasing a NOW Day or Month pass. Both teams have something to prove as Arsenal looks to maintain its three-point lead while Tottenham aims to climb up the table. Don't miss this showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday November 23 at 4.30pm UK time.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard scored the opening goal in a 4-1 victory against Tottenham in the North London Derby, for the second season in a row. The Belgian forward expressed his joy post-match, crediting the goal for giving the team the confidence to dominate the game. Trossard also praised the team's overall performance and the support of the fans, who created a stunning atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. With this win, Arsenal maintains their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal's star midfielder Eberechi Eze proved his worth in the North London derby, leading the Gunners to a 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham with a stunning hat-trick. However, many were left wondering how different things would have been if Eze had joined Tottenham last summer. The playmaker was expected to join Spurs until Arsenal hijacked the deal due to Kai Havertz's injury. Now, Eze has put all talks about his failed move behind him as he dominates on the pitch for the Gunners.
In a highly anticipated Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the home side emerged victorious with a 4-1 win. Arsenal's star player Eberechi Eze was the standout performer of the game, scoring a hat-trick and securing the win for his team. Tottenham's defense struggled to contain the Arsenal attack, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario conceding four goals. Despite some solid performances, including that of defender Cristian Romero, the night belonged to Arsenal and Eze's impressive display.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank took the full blame for his team's embarrassing loss to bitter rivals Arsenal. He apologized to the fans and acknowledged that his tactics were a major factor in the defeat. The statistics also showed that this was the second time Tottenham had used a back three system and failed to score above 0.1 expected goals, leaving them in ninth place in the Premier League. Frank admitted his concerns about the team's lack of aggressiveness and creativity in a game like this, and promised to work harder to improve in the future.
The Indian women's blind cricket team has created history by emerging as the champions of the first ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup, held in Colombo. In a one-sided final against Nepal, India showcased their prowess in both bowling and batting to secure a convincing seven-wicket victory. This remarkable feat not only reflects their talent and composure under pressure, but also sends a powerful message about inclusion and expanding women's sport to new formats and communities. By lifting the trophy, the Indian side has given much-deserved recognition to blind cricket and its athletes both in India and globally.
As Arsenal continues to secure long-term commitments from key players, manager Mikel Arteta expresses his belief that discussions with youngster Bukayo Saka and his representatives are progressing positively. Saka, a central figure in Arsenal's development under Arteta, has become a consistent performer and important leader on the pitch. For the manager, the young star's journey with the club is a legacy they are determined to maintain.
Tottenham's manager Thomas Frank apologizes for their disappointing performance against Arsenal, stating that they were not aggressive enough and did not win enough duels. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also apologizes for their lack of fight and acknowledges the importance of sticking together as a team. Despite their emotional defeat, they aim to learn from their mistakes and move forward for their upcoming game on Wednesday. Interestingly, Frank also addresses the controversial second goal scored by Arsenal, but admits that it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game.
The recent international break was an eventful one for Arsenal, with injuries plaguing the squad. However, amidst the chaos, one former Gunner experienced a career-high moment. Kieran Tierney, who left Arsenal to sign with Celtic, scored a stunning goal for Scotland to secure their spot in the World Cup. Tierney's former teammates, including Mikel Merino, praised him as a "legend" and "deserving" of the achievement.