LINCOLN, Neb — Brad Underwood returned from the Maui Invitational with several clear examples of what he's trying to build at Illinois.
Gonzaga has an elite program. Duke has an elite program. Arizona has an elite program. And Underwood made it a point to clarify between elite program and elite team. He wants to develop the former with the Illini.
Underwood viewed a competitive loss at Notre Dame as a step in the right direction. Sunday's 75-60 loss at Nebraska in Illinois' Big Ten opener wasn't.
"I think they've got to understand there's got to be a consistency," Underwood said, referencing his young team.