- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,629
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Brad Underwood heaps praise on potential NBA lottery pick Keaton Wagler after Final Four originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler sat at his locker with his jersey still on, his eyes red, his voice soft, his season over. He had just scored 20 points on the biggest stage of his life, had dragged Illinois possession by possession through a game where every shot felt like a fistfight, and yet the only thing he could think about was how much he didn’t want it to end.
“There were a lot of emotions, a lot of tears,” Wagler told reporters. “I love each and every one of my teammates. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.”
Wagler’s 20 points came the hard way — 7-for-16 from the field, 2-for-10 from three, 4-for-5 at the line. Nothing came easy against the UConn Huskies' length, switching, and relentless pressure. But he kept attacking. He kept believing. He kept giving Illinois (28-9) a chance despite falling short 71-62.
In a game where the Illini shot 33.9 percent and missed a season-high number of point-blank attempts, Wagler was the one constant source of offense. He hit tough pull-ups. He muscled his way to the rim. He grabbed eight rebounds. He played 38 minutes without a single moment of hesitation.
And Illinois coach Brad Underwood noticed.
MORE: Illinois HC Brad Underwood's Final Four message is much bigger than college basketball
“The year Keaton had… it was special,” Underwood said. “He played for the name on the front. He gave us everything.”
Wagler’s growth this season mirrored Illinois’ rise. He arrived as a talented scorer. He became a leader. He became a tone-setter. He became the player Illinois trusted when everything else broke down.
Against UConn (34-5), everything did break down — the layups, the threes, the rhythm, the flow. Illinois finished with just three assists. Every action became an isolation. Every drive became a collision. Every shot became a test of will.
Wagler passed those tests. He just didn’t get enough help.
Still, he never pointed fingers. Never blamed the rim. Never blamed the moment to play in the Final Four.
“We had a really great season,” Wagler said. “A special season. We made history.”
The tears weren’t about failure. They were about connection — to teammates, to coaches, to a fan base that traveled everywhere, to a program that rediscovered its national relevance.
MORE: Brad Underwood holds back tears after Illinois' championship dreams crumble in Final Four
Wagler will be remembered for the points. But inside the program, he’ll be remembered for something else: the way he carried himself when the lights were brightest.
Underwood said it best:
“I want them to hold their heads high," Underwood said of his team. "Keaton should be proud of the jersey he wore.”
He was. And he made Illinois proud in return.
Now, he'll decide between the NBA or a return to Champaign for his second season this fall.
More college basketball news:
- Two fans ejected from NCAA Tournament after bringing FAFO energy, lose $6
- NCAA basketball tournament reportedly expanding to 76 teams: What to know
- Dawn Staley says 'I will beat Geno's ass' in new video after heated exchange
- What UConn's Geno Auriemma said after ripping Dawn Staley
- Nate Burleson's wardrobe gets roasted during March Madness coverage
Continue reading...
