Joe Tidei

Wrapped up breakfast with Ben Johnson: - Drew Dalman reached out mid-Feb about retiring. Bears value position highly, Bradbury fits wide zone run game - LT, DT, DE: “Can go in any direction” - Coby Bryant has the ‘it factor’ & is a ‘tone-setter’ - Offensive staff needs to do better job scheming open primary receiver. More to come! @fox32news #Bears

After the #illini punched their ticket to the Final Four, "Team Underwood" huddled on the Toyota Center floor to celebrate the moment more than 30 years in the making. "It was Team Underwood from Day One. We would sacrifice whatever for Brad." 247sports.com/college/illino…

Good morning from the Arizona Biltmore. We’ll hear from #Bears Ben Johnson & NFC Head Coaches coming up at 7:45 local time. @fox32news

Notebook on the Final Four-bound #illini 🔸 Keaton Wagler adds to legendary season with epic Elite Eight 🔸 'Big Game Tomi' Ivisic 🔸 Andrej Stojakovic, two-way star 🔸 Alum Coleman Hawkins 'like a happy dad' in stands 247sports.com/college/illino…

The South Region MOP grew up minutes from my house, went to my old high school, was a classmate of my son’s and I’ve been playing pickup with him for a few years. My hometown is so proud of Keaton Wagler. Was my honor to tell his story this year. ICYMI: nytimes.com/athletic/69929…

Final Four mood

A Serbian agent had a dream for some of his guys to play on one team and win a national championship. He watched last night as his guys reached a Final Four with Illinois, two wins away from achieving the dream. Free for all to read: nytimes.com/athletic/71545…

The best teams play in April

The #illini bench view when a Final Four became reality

Just awesome. Congrats @CoachUnderwood just awesome for some @IlliniMBB #ILL🟧🟦👀🏀👀🟦🟧#INI

Here's my question and Underwood's answer at the postgame press conference. I don't say this much but... this one is a must-watch:

Brad Underwood on making his first Final Four: "I'm gonna get emotional, but I've been doing this 39 years. You dream about this as a kid. I dreamt about doing it at Illinois, when my wife bought Tyler, who was maybe 2, a Brian Cook jersey. It's always been a special place. There's been no other thing for me. This is my dream job."

Andrej Stojakovic delivering the news.

Illinois is going to the Final Four

Brad Underwood started his career at Dodge City (Ks.) Community College. Three years Dayton Beach CC. Took 27 years to get his first Division I head coaching job. Now he is taking Illinois to its first Final Four since 2005. March is for the dreamers.

#illini are going to the Final Four.

#Illini David Mirkovic wearing a cowboy hat for postgame interviews: Where did he get it? Amazon. How much? $34 What brand? Not sure. Does he feel like a cowboy? "Yeah, why not, we in Texas." Video: KXAN

For everyone in the Orange and Blue.

Congrats @illiniMBB! #Final4 🧡💙

Was going to record his comments… asking for a friend? He always seems to have a few things to say that are well guarded and calculated #ILL