20 years, since the 98–99 Lon Kruger crew won only 14 games. Groce's squad finished with a record of 15–19, taking 12th place in the Big Ten and receiving no post season tournament invitations. The 2016–2017 basketball season was another disappointing season for the Fighting Illini, as they finished the season at 18–14 and 8–10 in conference, failing to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. On March 11, 2017, the university announced via press release that Groce had been relieved of his duties as head men's basketball coach. The next day, the team was put into the NIT as a 2-seed. The team was coached during the NIT by interim coach Jamall Walker, making it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the University of Central Florida. Brad Underwood era (2017–present) On March 18, 2017, Brad Underwood was hired by athletic director Josh Whitman. Underwood previously coached at Stephen F. Austin from 2013 to 2016, before spending one year at Oklahoma State. In Underwood's first season at Illinois, the team won each of their first five contests. After beginning conference play 0–8, they ended the season with a record of 14–18. 2018-19 season While the 2018–19 season featured the debut of key pieces including Ayo Dosunmu, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Andres Feliz, and Alan Griffin, the Illini posted one of the worst records in program history at 12–21 (7–13 in Big Ten). Despite the poor record, the Fighting Illini had many memorable moments such as upsetting #9 Michigan State at home and Freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili scoring 35 points versus Rutgers, breaking the Illinois record for most points by a freshman in a game. 2019-20 season This season was the freshman year of highly ranked center Kofi Cockburn. The Illini started off the season slow in the first game, barely beating Nicholls State 78–70 in OT. In the Big Ten-ACC Challenge, Illinois played Miami (FL) where they lost 81–79 after mounting a huge comeback and a charge being called against Dosunmu on the final play of the game. The next game they traveled to Maryland to play against the #3 ranked Terrapins and the Illini led by 14 at half. Maryland then outscored Illinois 34–19 in the second half and won the game by an Anthony Cowan free throw. The Illini next played the 5th ranked Michigan Wolverines at the State Farm Center and beat them 71–62 to improve to