CHAMPAIGN — Brad Underwood brought with him to Illinois a plain directive for what makes a successful basketball team. Quiet teams lose.
The Illini fought that in Underwood's first season. His voice was often times the only voice heard in practices or games. The idea of quiet teams losing is one Underwood sees his second Illinois team embracing. Constant communication is stressed every day, and that new direction is being led by two of the Illini's newest players.
Graduate transfer center Adonis De La Rosa might be sidelined currently while he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, but the 7-footer's voice can still be heard during Illinois' practices.