The Illinois Fighting Illini's winning streak isn't an accident. Whether it's ball movement, cohesiveness or dynamic scoring, coach Brad Underwood recognizes he has a special group on his hands and knows time is valuable.
Brad Underwood reveals 4-word rule No. 5 Illinois MBB says '100 times a day' in win streak originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
March Madness is right around the corner and the No. 5 Illinois Fighting Illini are right in the thick of the national title championship conversation.
Having won 12 in a row entering a critical Saturday night game against Michigan State in East Lansing, coach Brad Underwood is locked in regarding his team.
"We have one saying: 'Don't drink the poison,'" Underwood told reporters.
And it isn't just a "saying," Underwood said of his team's mantra.
MORE: March Madness bracket predictions
"And it’s something we literally talk about every day," Underwood said. "Don't read it, don't talk about it. We haven't brought up anything [about the national attention]. We just don't talk about it. It's just the next day. It's very simple, mundane, "Every Day Guys" mentality. And then we talk every single day, 100 times a day, about our standard. We have to play and live up to our standards."
Thus far, they have done just that even in the absence of guard Kylan Boswell, who has nursed a broken hand. Illinois dominated the Northwestern Wildcats Wednesday night at State Farm Center, 84-44, to sweep the season series.
As long as the Illini keep shooting consistently, anything is possible.
After all, though, the games are only going to get more significant as the conference tournament draws closer.
MORE Tom Izzo calls out Jeremy Fears after 'dirty' play
So, potentially, could the winning streak.
More college news:
Category: General Sports