The Illinois Fighting Illini saw their NCAA Tournament run come to an end on March 23, 2025, with an 84-75 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round. Following the game, head coach Brad Underwood and key players Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis shared their thoughts on the defeat and what it means for the program moving forward.
Turnovers and Missed Opportunities
Coach Underwood emphasized the impact of turnovers, which proved to be one of the biggest factors in Illinois’ loss. The Wildcats scored 26 points off 14 Illinois turnovers, and Underwood admitted that those mistakes cost the team the game. “When you give away possessions like that against a team as talented as Kentucky, it’s going to be tough to recover,” he said. “Both starts to the first and second half really put us in a hole.”
Underwood also acknowledged his team’s effort, stating that they fought hard but needed to execute better in critical moments.
Boswell’s Leadership and Optimism
Sophomore guard Kylan Boswell, who led Illinois with 23 points, expressed his frustration with the outcome but remained optimistic about the team’s future. “We just made too many mistakes, and Kentucky made us pay for every single one of them,” Boswell said. “It hurts right now, but we have to learn from this. We have a strong core, and I believe we’ll come back even better next season.”
Boswell has been a key player for Illinois all season, and his performance against Kentucky showcased his ability to step up in big moments. Despite the loss, his leadership and confidence will be crucial as the team looks ahead to next year.
Jakucionis Focuses on Improvement
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who scored 13 points, reflected on the challenges of facing Kentucky’s defensive pressure. “They forced us into some bad decisions, and that’s something we need to work on,” he admitted. “In games like this, every possession matters, and we didn’t always take care of the ball the way we should have.”
Despite the disappointment, Jakucionis sees this as a learning experience. “This is my first year, and I know I have a lot to improve on. We’re going to get back in the gym and make sure we’re ready for next season.”
Looking Ahead
While the loss was a tough one, Illinois has a promising future with players like Boswell and Jakucionis leading the way. Their commitment to improvement suggests that the Illini could be a strong contender again next season.
