Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood was determined to attack UConn center Donovan Clingan during the Elite Eight on Saturday. That strategy did not work at all.
It made him look very foolish and even Larry David agreed.
Underwood doubled down on his strategy shortly before halftime. They were his famous last words.
"If he blocks 100 he blocks 100"
— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) March 30, 2024
Famous last words pic.twitter.com/RcXHIRgxN7
The Huskies could not get anything to fall during the first half. Regardless of whether they were good looks or bad looks, shots were simply not going in. And yet they still led by five at the break!
Underwood’s attempt to go at Clingan did not work at all. Illinois went 0-for-19 on field goal attempts contested by Clingan and scored 14 points total when he was on the floor.
Even though the game was close for 20 minutes, the Fighting Illini’s hopes of reaching the Final Four very quickly dwindled to zero in the second half. UConn scored 30 unanswered points to go up 53-23 with more than 13 minutes left. No team in history had ever gone on such a ridiculous run during March Madness.
Clingan played a huge role!
Underwood challenged him to block 100 shots so the 7-footer skied for a massive stuff block at the rim. Bill Murray was fired up when Clingan immediately countered with a big dunk on the other end.
David was not as thrilled. He paid big bucks to sit front row for what became a blowout!
As Illinois continued to go at Clingan, David suggested that Underwood would benefit from a different approach to the game. It was an astute observation!
Despite what Larry David — and anyone watching the game thought — there was no stopping the big fella. Donovan Clingan didn’t quite hit the 100-block mark but he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and four blocks.
Underwood’s game plan proved to be remarkably ineffective. Clemson and Alabama should not try to replicate Illinois’ strategy because we all saw how that turned out!