US EditionKeaton Wagler leads deep group of talented freshmen still putting their imprint on March Madness
Four of Illinois’ top six scorers come from southeastern Europe, giving Brad Underwood size, shooting and rebounding against UConn.
- On Saturday, the Fighting Illini will face UConn in the NCAA Tournament Final Four in Indianapolis, marking Illinois' first appearance since 2005.
- Head Coach Brad Underwood and assistant Geoff Alexander recruited six players from Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro—the 'Balkan Bloc'—capitalizing on a region where basketball is a national sport.
- Reunion of 7-foot twins Zvonimir Ivisic and Tomislav Ivisic provides critical size and defensive energy, anchoring a rotation with Kylan Boswell and All-American Keaton Wagler.
- Excitement is building among fans preparing to travel to Indianapolis, with alum Kevin O'Brien urging supporters to attend: "You could wait your whole lifetime before you get another opportunity."
- Illinois seeks to overcome a November loss to UConn by using positional size and toughness to slow down center Tarris Reed Jr. in Saturday's rematch.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Keaton Wagler leads deep group of talented freshmen still putting their imprint on March Madness
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Keaton Wagler’s high school basketball transcript contained everything a college coach would want in a recruit. The 6-foot-6 sharp-shooting Illinois guard helped Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas win its first two state titles, one coming with a perfect season. He won a school record 80 games and finished among the top five on the school’s career lists in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. He earned back-to-…
Final Four a reality thanks to ‘International Illini’
INDIANAPOLIS -- Illinois head coach Brad Underwood signed All-American Keaton Wagler without seeing him play. He trusted assistant Geoff Alexander to assemble the "Balkan Bloc" of international talent. And a hometown guard who left for Arizona came bac...
Jackson Progress-Argus
Final Four a reality thanks to 'International Illini'
INDIANAPOLIS -- Illinois head coach Brad Underwood signed All-American Keaton Wagler without seeing him play. He trusted assistant Geoff Alexander to assemble the "Balkan Bloc" of international talent. And a hometown guard who left for Arizona came back to help…
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