Underwood: The thing that was fairly new to me was that start, not being ready to play (against Maryland). In hindsight I was very fortunate at SFA and Oklahoma State when the lights came on our guys were ready to go. #Illini
Underwood: That was very disappointing. It leads me to I've got to do a better job there. I've got to make sure our guys know there's a game ready to play. #Illini
Underwood: Very easily could be 9-0, but we're not. We're 6-3. We've got to continue to grow and improve. #Illini
Underwood: (On Austin Peay) They play the same kind of defense. They're extremely physical. They don't have tremendous size, but they have defensive end looking type guys.
Underwood: I wasn't very happy with that group (starters) in different points in Northwestern game. ... I don't know if it had as much to do with who was on the court as our mental approach to the game. I was really proud of that line change, really proud of that group.
Underwood: I think we're getting about 20 minutes a game from (Aaron Jordan). He excites me more for what he brings in personality and attitude than he does his play, and his play is tremendous. #Illini
Underwood: I was making a lot of offensive and defensive substitutions with (Aaron Jordan). I'm not going to do that — or as much. ... He impacts as emotionally. #Illini
Underwood: Our crowd was phenomenal (Sunday). That's Illinois basketball I remember.
Underwood: Will (AJ) see more minutes? Some. Will he see more shot opportunities? I hope. I need to get him more. The other stuff he's bringing to us, the confidence, he's quietly becoming a leader. That's something that's maybe out of left field a little bit. #Illini
Underwood: Trent's been exceptional — not good. He's been exceptional in practice. His shiftiness, his speed, changed the momentum of (Sunday's) game. #Illini
Underwood: By nature, I'm really impatient. It's one of my big character flaws. One of many if you talk to my wife. I think one of my better traits is I understand the process. ... Not get ahead of what the moment is. Not get ahead of our games. I think that's helped me. #Illini
Underwood: Finally. Da'Monte's a good offensive player. We need him to be an aggressive player on that end and not a guy who's just a facilitator so to speak. Da'Monte's now latched on to AJ and in every morning getting shots. #Illini
Underwood: Leron might lack in size, in height, but he's done it his whole life. He's figured out how to get his shot off. He shoots some fadeaway stuff, but he gets it very high and has a quick release. We'd like to see Leron get to the foul line more. #Illini
Underwood: It's the rule. They missed it ("goaltend" on Trent Frazier shot not called) and it's the rule. I don't like the rule. It's a non-reviewable play. ... We have review to try to get the calls right and make the right calls. #Illini
Underwood: Those other coaches know the scouting report. I think Mark (Smith's) shocked sometimes to see how open he is. He's got to shoot it better. ... They're taking away the drive and forcing him to shoot that shot. #Illini
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