WATCH: “Backyard dad energy!” – Illinois head coach SOAKS players with water after advancing to Sweet Sixteen; fans react

The Illinois Fighting Illini have reached the round of Sweet Sixteen for the first time in almost 20 years.

WATCH: “Backyard dad energy!” – Illinois head coach SOAKS players with water after advancing to Sweet Sixteen; fans react

Coach Brad Underwood soaks his Illinois players with water gun after reaching NCAA March Madness Sweet Sixteen

For the Illinois Fighting Illini, their year-on-year improvement in the NCAA March Madness took a major step today. This is the first time in nearly 20 years that the Fighting Illini have made it into the Sweet Sixteen. Such a momentous occasion led head coach Brad Underwood to soak his players with a water gun, leaving fans to react on social media.

After a long gestation period of underperformance, the team hired head coach Brad Underwood to improve their standings in college basketball. They have cracked the Round of 32 a couple of times before. However, now, the squad have managed to beat the Duquesne Dukes to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. After this achievement, the players entered the locker room rejoicing. Coach Underwood came into the locker room and unleashed a water gun onto his players, soaking them as they danced.

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As the coach went around spraying his players with water, some of them opened up cans of water and drenched their favorite head coach. This entire episode showed their camaraderie as well as the joy in their achievements. The Fighting Illini have long waited for their entry into the top echelons of the NCAA.

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In the next round, they face a strong No. 2 seed Iowa State. So far, the Illinois players have managed to beat lower-ranked opponents easily. But Iowa State is a different story. Many regard them as the dark horses to fight for the Championship. But this entire episode gives them something to rejoice.

Fans react to coach Brad Underwood soaking his Illinois players

Basketball fans usually take to social media to react when some big plays or upsets happen during March Madness. But this entire water-soaking incident has brought out the lighter side of college basketball’s most popular tournament. Therefore, fans weren’t ready to be left behind as head coach Brad Underwood soaked his players in jubilation.

Fans jumped onto social media to congratulate their victory and join in the humor of this celebration. Check out some of their reactions below;

The Illinois Fighting Illini are right to celebrate reaching the Sweet Sixteen. And head coach Brad Underwood is right to join in the celebration by soaking his players. After all, this is the reason the NCAA March Madness is as entertaining for basketball fans as it can get.

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