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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WCIA) — The Huskies bounced the Fighting Illini from the Elite Eight just two years ago. But there is only one remaining member on this year’s Illinois squad from that team: Ty Rodgers.
Interestingly enough, that blowout loss against UConn was the last game for Illinois that Rodgers actually played in. Since then, Rodgers redshirted a year and has been hurt for the entire 2025-26 season. Despite not being on the court in two seasons, the junior guard has continued to leave his mark on the program.
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“I feel like this whole time I’ve been in tune, just like I’m playing. I still feel like I’m prepared for games, like I’m playing,” Rodgers said. “I’m in the locker room, locked in with these guys, helping them take their nerves of off whatever the case may be, but I’m definitely locked in just like these guys.”
Similar to the 2024 UConn squad, this year’s Huskies beat Illinois in comfortable fashion in November. But Rodgers feels like because of what this year’s Illini squad has been through, they can come through on top this time around.
“It would mean the world to us. I feel like to get here, you have to lose first, you have to fail first, so I feel like we’ve been through it.” Rodgers said. “We know what it takes, we’ve fought against a lot of adversity, so it would mean the world to us to bounce back and get that dub.”
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While not being on the court, Rodgers has also made it a point to have a lasting impact off the hardwood to let his teammates know what it means to be a part of this program, especially with some of the younger players.
“I think early on it was a big thing. We had a lot of younger guys and transfers that came in so, [I’m] just trying to keep the culture moving,” Rodgers said. “I feel like Brad [Underwood] does a great job as well, just with his expectations, and I can kind of show the guys what that looks like. It’s been great.”
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