Brad Underwood: "Fantastic year. ...Obviously, we're disappointed in the ending. We were hoping and wishing we were playing today." That's March Madness. This is the growth of a program.
Underwood: I'm extremely proud of this group of guys, this season.
Underwood: Didn't have a positive COVID test since August. Took a lot of discipline and mental challenge.
Underwood: We had a lot of fun coaching this team. Had COVID not happened we would have been an NCAA Tournament team [last season] as well. Have most wins in Big Ten last two years. Speaks volumes about commitment of our stuff to recruit, coach and develop players.
Underwood: The transfer portal "has been a majority of my past 10-11 days."
Underwood: Creates a unique scenario. Prefer to recruit freshmen and develop them. I don't know if those days exist anymore.
Underwood: "I think we're going to have shop from the full menu."
Underwood when specifically asked about seniors and Kofi Cockburn: Do not know yet on who will return or not. Players returned home. Will have discussions when they return to campus.
Underwood pretty succinct on Adam Miller transferring: "To say I'm surprised by anything in this world, I'm not."
Underwood said players don't have to tell them they're entering the portal: "That's the world we live in. ...They hold all the cards."
Underwood said he hasn't "had the stomach" to watch the Loyola game again. Watched two women's NCAA Tournament game but has not watched any men's games.
Still needs to process why it happened. Said they were "emotionally flat" and he doesn't know why.
Underwood said the team never got a reset after Big Ten Tournament. Barely got to celebrate the title before the selection show came on (Ayo was on the ladder when they came up)
But doesn't want to discredit Loyola. They were terrific, and we just didn't play well.
Underwood: "This one stings. I'm not lying. But we can't discredit all the positives of the year."
Underwood: "It's the abruptness of the end, and that stings, and that hurts. And it's not something to take lightly."
Underwood: Unfortunately, we're like everyone in the country, probably looking at every position [in the portal].
Underwood: The one thing the portal provides is a chance to get an immediate impact
Underwood asked if he anticipates any change to his staff: "Not to my knowledge."
Underwood said Andre Curbelo certainly will be put into a leadership role next season. "I'd be disappointed if he doesn't have an outstanding year."
Underwood: Austin Hutcherson has been training. Doing workouts and recovery. No timeline set. We've been in constant communication throughout.
Underwood: Ayo Dosunmu "should be the guiding light" of sticktoitiveness development, work.
Underwood: This staff will all be head coaches some day, there's no doubt about that.