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Fans: Did Kansas State Miss Getting Brad Underwood Again?

By Stan Unruh

Mar 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood talks with CBS during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood talks with CBS during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Kansas State player and assistant coach Brad Underwood decided one year in the Big 12 was enough. He has left Oklahoma State for Illinois.

I was not surprised when the news rolled across the AP wire on Saturday announcing Brad Underwood was leaving Stillwater.

Ultimately, the Cowboys without Jawun Evans are not expected to be a threat next season.

All things considered, I was surprised he wanted to move to the Big 10 and the challenge of rebuilding the basketball program at the University of Illinois.

As a matter of fact, the mess in administration and athletics at the University of Illinois over the past three years is not a secret.

For this reason, some Wildcat fans are now asking, “Did Kansas State miss out on hiring Underwood a second time?’

Bruce Weber and the ‘Cats beat Underwood in Stillwater this season. He beat the ‘Cats at Bramlage.

A year ago, some fans wanted John Currie to hire Underwood.

Mar 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood talks with CBS during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood talks with CBS during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

You remember what happened.

The 2015-16 Wildcat basketball season ended with a 22-point loss in the Big 12 Tournament.

As you might imagine, some Wildcat fans demanded change. They wanted Underwood.  At Stephen F Austin his team earned national attention for aggressive play and NCAA tourney success.

A 1986 graduate of Kansas State, he played for Jack Hartman and was an assistant under Bob Huggins. The man bleeds purple but is wearing orange?

No doubt, it will be interesting to learn how the athletic administration in Champaign lured him away.  What happened in Stillwater?

Obviously, the timing was terrible for Kansas State.

More from Jug of Snyder

The school needs a new Athletic Director. No coach is going to move to a school looking for an athletic director.

Was Underwood desperate to move?

Did anyone in Manhattan call him? Would it matter?

My guess, we will never know.

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