Brad Underwood has not shied away from competition in the early going.
This young Illini team has already had showdowns with two top-20 teams in Las Vegas and is coming off a stiff test against a now 13th ranked Maryland team in College Park. On Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic, they may be in for their biggest challenge yet as they take on No. 2 Texas.
The Longhorns have been picked by many as a Final Four contender and present Illinois with an opportunity for perhaps its most marquee non-conference win of the Brad Underwood era.