*NOT AN INSIDER CLAIM* - 0440, and other "Insiders" can confirm/tell if what I hear below is fact or fiction from what they are hearing as well.
However, my family has been a booster of the program ever since the mid-'80s. My father is an alumnus, and local Champaign business owner, whose other business partner and best friend is a former Illini Basketball player (w/NBA experience) from the '70s, and well connected to the Atkins, Kahn families. With that said, I can say for sure that since the early/mid part of this 2020 Basketball season. Whitman and Underwood have been given many assurances from more prominent boosters, alumni that they are willing to come to the table to help this program.
They believe in Underwood and BU's staff and do not want to see another Self situation arise. These same alumni still are pretty PISSED about what happened with Self and the optics around the whole thing. More specifically, Gunther not making more of a play "public" attempt/try to keep him, after the string of success we had with Kruger and then during Self's tenure (96-03). Even if everyone knew it was a very long shot. It was not a good look for the program in their eyes and potentially played a factor in getting another up-and-coming, high-level coach to replace Self.
With that all said, I think Whitman is showing he is not Gunther Lite, and the Alumnius are putting their money where their mouth is. We see this in the $1M for 4/year offer to OA. I am hearing Chin is due to get a substantial counter offer as well $700k range for 4/year. Lastly, it has recently been reported that the new Ubben ($40M) has picked up a substantial number of recent donations over the past few months - one for over $3M alone. Some recently announced - locally - but more to come out over the summer (trickle campaign) to continue the momentum and spotlight on the project.
Whitman gets it and is doing what a TRUE top-tier BigTen AD should be doing - stepping up and pulling strings where and when he has to. He is also showing Brad that he is not just a FB AD and truly has his back. Both in front of the cameras and behind them with the Administration, President of the University, Boards, and boosters.