Should More Coaches Follow the Recruiting Route as Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach?

Illinois has reached a fascinating moment in its program identity, and it raises a larger question about the direction of modern college basketball: Should more coaches follow the recruiting route that Brad Underwood has embraced so aggressively and so effectively? The results this season suggest that the answer is leaning toward yes. Their roster has over five international prospects, including Tomislav Ivišic, Zvonimir Ivišic, Ben Humrichous, David Mirkovic, and Andrej Stojakovic, and it makes you wonder if recruiting internationally is the shift this sport is taking, especially with NIL. The Fighting Illini sit in a competitive position tied for fourth place in the Big Ten with Michigan, a testament to how well this roster has been constructed and how quickly it has come together. Illinois is ranked 13th nationally, and that standing reflects more than just talent accumulation. It reflects a philosophy that prioritizes identifying the right players, developing them with intention, and trusting that a cohesive roster built through recruiting can still thrive in an era dominated by transfers and short-term roster turnover. Underwood has leaned into that belief, and the payoff is visible every night. The backcourt of Stojakovic and Kylan Bowell has been the engine of Illinois success, a pairing that blends scoring, poise, and a competitive edge that sets the tone for the entire team. Their chemistry has elevated the Illini offense and stabilized the group in tight moments, giving Illinois a backcourt that can match up with anyone in the conference.

What makes this roster even more compelling is the emergence of Keaton Wagler, a freshman who has stepped into a major role with confidence and production that few first-year players can replicate. His growth has been one of the defining storylines of the season, and it underscores the value of investing in young talent rather than relying solely on the transfer market. Wagler has been unbelievable, providing energy, scoring, and a willingness to take on responsibility in big moments. His development is not an accident. It is the product of a system that values continuity and long-term growth, a system that Underwood has doubled down on even as many programs chase quick fixes. The Illini have shown that a roster built through recruiting can still compete at the highest level, even in a landscape where experience and age often dominate the conversation. Their response to adversity has reinforced that point. After suffering a heartbreaking buzzer-beater defeat to Nebraska, a top ten team, one of the most dominant Big Ten teams, and one of the few remaining undefeated programs in the country, Illinois could have unraveled. Instead, they regrouped, refocused, and strung together five straight wins. That stretch included blowing the doors off Missouri in a rivalry game and grinding out a win over a tough Iowa team. Those performances reflected a group that is growing together, learning from setbacks, and building the kind of internal belief that only comes from shared development.

The broader question is whether more coaches should follow Underwood’s approach. The evidence from this season suggests that there is real value in building a roster through recruiting and trusting the long term arc of player development. Illinois has found stability in a sport that often lacks it. They have found star power in Stojakovic and Bowell, who have become one of the most reliable backcourts in the Big Ten. They have found a rising contributor in Wagler, whose trajectory hints at an even brighter future. And they have found resilience, the kind that allows a team to absorb a difficult loss and respond with its best basketball of the season. Underwood’s model is not the only way to win in the modern era, but it is proving to be one of the most sustainable. As Illinois continues to climb and continues to validate the vision behind this roster, the question becomes harder for other coaches to ignore. In a landscape defined by constant movement, Illinois is showing that there is still power in building, teaching, and growing a team from within. If the Illini keep winning, more programs may start to look at what Underwood is doing and wonder whether the old-fashioned recruiting route might be the future after all.