The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2, March 31, 2026

Special Guest: Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd centers around the evolution of college basketball, the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money, and the internationalization of talent—particularly illustrated through the remarkable 2025-26 Illinois men’s basketball team. Colin dives deep with Brad Underwood on building a winning program, the real impact of NIL, international recruiting, and what distinguishes the current Final Four teams.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. NIL: Fuel or Fiasco? (04:01–06:59)

• Colin Cowherd’s Take: Money (NIL) can buy talent, but not championship culture or happiness. Cites examples in pro and college sports where huge spenders (e.g., Kentucky, BYU, Duke, Texas football, Phoenix Suns) fell short despite big budgets.
  • Quote: “The Nil money is jet fuel if you got a great head coach and an excellent culture. If you don’t, all it does is raise expectations and get coaches fired.” (05:43)
• Fans’ Perspective: Distrust and dislike of NIL partially reflect psychological discomfort with seeing others ‘separate’ (become more successful/wealthy), illustrated with a humorous Oprah Winfrey anecdote.
• Key Finding: Programs with solid cultures like UConn, Illinois, Michigan, and Arizona thrive, regardless of roster expense.

2. Building Illinois’ Unique Roster (07:24–11:57)

• Freshman Sensation – Keaton Wagler:
  • Underwood describes how an under-recruited, 6’6” guard from Kansas quickly earned trust and respect.
  • Quote (Brad Underwood, 08:05): “Kyle Boswell walked in—sometime right around the Fourth of July... and he’s like, ‘Coach, this one’s got it.’ … For a stretch of time [in a scrimmage], he was the best player on the court.”
• European Expansion:
  • Recruiting twins from Croatia and Peja Stojakovic’s son.
  • Importance of on-the-ground relationship-building with coaches and agents (“we go over every month to six weeks”).
  • Quote (Brad Underwood, 10:36): “I’m a really big character guy. I want character, not characters.”

3. Final Four Analysis & UConn Preview (11:57–16:09)

• Illinois as a Second Half Team:
  • Emphasis on depth, rhythm, and the ability to pull away in tough, physical matchups.
  • Quote (Underwood, 13:35): “I think we have eight starters. That’s helped us. We’ve been in two just nasty street fights with Houston and Iowa… physical, hard-nosed... finally found footing offensively and were able to pull away.”
• UConn’s Distinctiveness:
  • “Their culture... is maybe unrivaled. They maintain a composure that is maybe unrivaled.” (12:46)
  • Praises the understated talent of role players (e.g., Alex Karaban).

4. This Year’s Final Four: Any Team Can Win (14:55–16:09)

• Parody & Toughness:
  • Underwood: “I think it’s four teams that any of them can win it. If you don’t play well, you’ll lose. Final Four’s kind of a tough guy’s game.”
  • Special nod to Yaxel Lindenberg and Mara (Michigan) as unique game-changers.

5. Coaching in the NIL Era: Roster-Building Philosophy (17:04–18:36)

• Underwood’s NIL View:
  • Pro-NIL, credits it for keeping top players in college basketball.
  • The key is leveraging NIL to complete rosters with the right role players and maintaining unselfish team culture.
  • Quote (18:20): “You can spend oodles and gobs of money, but you could just be giving it away to the wrong people.”

6. Colin’s Broader Reflections on Basketball Quality (18:54–21:11; 35:13–38:38)

• Observes that the surge in international talent, NIL, and retaining high-level players has made college basketball as exciting and high-quality as ever.
• Quote (18:54): “It felt like for about a 15-year stretch, college basketball was just AAU basketball with jet fuel. Now it feels like it’s just the NBA missing one great player a roster.”
• Laments past eras where college games were “clank city,” celebrating the current skill and shot-making.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On NIL’s Role:
  • Colin: “You’re just trying to buy points and that’s not what it is. What you’re trying to buy is leadership, culture, and a specific skill—plug a hole.”
• On the Modern Illinois Roster:
  • Underwood: “Everybody’s got to want to play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back.” (17:15)
• On International Recruiting:
  • Underwood: “We go over every month to six weeks. One of [the staff] is over there. We developed relationships with agents, with coaches… But they fit us.” (10:36)
• On Modern College Hoops:
  • Colin: “NBA teams have five guys that can handle the ball, at least four on the floor. You can’t have two non scorers, non shooters in the NBA. You’ll get exposed.” (36:30)

Segments & Timestamps

• NIL and Building Programs: 04:01–06:59
• Brad Underwood Interview:
  • Finding Keaton Wagler: 07:24–09:45
  • International recruitment: 09:46–11:57
  • Culture, UConn matchup, and Final Four: 11:57–16:09
  • NIL and modern role player philosophy: 17:04–18:36
• Colin’s Solo Reflections on College Hoops Quality: 18:54–21:11; picks up again at 35:13–38:38
• Guest Analyst Hot Takes (NBA, Baseball, NFL): 27:05–34:15
• Dan Hurley & Coaching Intensity Segment: 42:36–47:55
• Colin’s Final Four Picks: 51:05–52:34

Tone & Style

Colin’s signature blend of pop-culture analogies, data points, humor, and insider references keeps the discussion lively, accessible, and occasionally irreverent. Brad Underwood brings candid, practical coaching wisdom with a focus on team culture, international connections, and the nuanced reality of modern college basketball.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers valuable insight into what’s actually driving the success of top-tier college basketball teams—not just stars or big NIL money, but culture, chemistry, smart recruiting (including abroad), and the right mix of selfless, gritty role players. Brad Underwood epitomizes the modern college coach: adaptable, international in scope, and devoted to character over clout. And the stakes for this Final Four? Very high—and genuinely wide open.