Illinois fans have been asking: “Is Brad Underwood done recruiting traditional high school stars?” Today, I break down why Illinois is pivoting toward international players and transfer portal talent, and why this strategy might actually be the best path forward in today’s college basketball landscape.

We dive into:

✅ How NIL & the portal shifted Illinois’ recruiting focus

✅ Why Morez Johnson's saga changed how Illinois operates

✅ The brilliance of building with international standouts like Petrovic, the Ivisic twins & Stojakovic

✅ Illinois' Top 5 Transfer Class by advanced analytics (EvanMiya)

✅ Why “quality over quantity” is winning in the new era

✅ Brad Underwood & Bret Bielema get new contracts

✅ NBA Combine updates: Will Riley, Jakucionis shooting results

✅ Quick update on Illinois Golf's NCAA Regional performance It’s not about stacking freshmen anymore — it’s about stacking wins.

🎧 Like, comment, and subscribe for more Illini insight.

Welcome to Locked On Illini, your one-stop show for all things Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball! Join host Sunny Verma as he brings you in-depth analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Whether you're a die-hard Illini fan or just looking to stay updated on the latest in college sports, this is the podcast for you. Tune in on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms for fresh episodes and all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game. Get ready to be Locked On Illini! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball and football!

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