MILWAUKEE — Illinois coach Brad Underwood recruited Kylan Boswell years before the guard first went to Arizona in 2022, and one of the things that struck Underwood was Boswell’s potential on — and approach to — defense.
It was an indicator, Underwood thought, of the kind of leader Boswell could become for the Illini.
“I loved the fact that it didn’t matter if he was playing in a high school game or an AAU game, he always guarded the other team’s best player,” Underwood said. “To me, that’s a characteristic that as a young man that is a five-star player, he’s pretty selfless. He takes pride in winning. All that was really, really important in him coming back to us.”
When Boswell was looking to transfer to Illinois last spring after two years in Tucson, Underwood laid out his expectations of that leadership upon Boswell’s first visit.
On an almost entirely new Illinois team from the one that advanced to the Elite Eight in 2024 — a group that eventually would feature three first-year international players — a lot would be asked of Boswell.
“He told me he was going to push the hell out of me, have the most expectations for this team coming at me,” Boswell said. “I knew what was expected, but it was no problem for me.”
A little less than a year later, as No. 6 seed Illinois prepares for its second-round NCAA Tournament game against No. 3 Kentucky at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Fiserv Forum, the Illini will rely on Boswell’s leadership — and that defense.
The Wildcats feature the sixth-best scoring offense in the country with 85 points per game, ahead of the ninth-ranked Illinois offense, which averages 83.9 points. They feature a balanced attack, with good size and shooting and five players scoring in double figures, led by a trio of guards.
Otega Oweh, who scored 20 points in UK’s first-round win over Troy, averages 16.4 points and is “a great downhill player,” Underwood said. Koby Brea averages 11.5 points and ranks eighth in the country with 44.1% 3-point shooting. Lamont Butler, averaging 11 points, might be limited, however, as he is playing with his injured shoulder in a brace.
Boswell said from the Illinois locker room Saturday before practice that he wasn’t sure if he would primarily be defending Oweh or Brea, but either way, he always is prepared to take on an opponent’s best player.
“I’ve been doing that all year,” Boswell said. “I’ve got to watch the film on them. I think that’s my edge when I go into these games, just knowing these little tendencies. But I know how much trust the staff and team has in me, so I’m always fine.”
Underwood said he thinks Boswell developed that attitude with the Illini because of maturity following his two years at Arizona and because of the expectations the coaching staff demanded.
Illinois freshman forward Will Riley was the offensive star of Friday’s 86-73 first-round win over Xavier with 22 points. But Underwood praised Boswell and Tomislav Ivišić for the defense they played to limit the Musketeers stars.
Boswell helped hold guard Ryan Conwell to 12 points on 3-for-10 shooting, while Ivišić helped shut down forward Zach Freemantle, who had just five points.
Underwood said if Illinois’ solid defense doesn’t carry over, they won’t beat Kentucky.
“Not letting their guards get off is the main thing,” Boswell said. “I think we’ve done a great job of that all year. There have been some games that has happened. We know what happens when the best players on the team are guards and they get off — (Maryland’s) Rodney Rice, for example.
“Otega, Koby, Lamont, they’re kind of the head of the snake for that team. The most we can do is what we’ve been doing great all year — having our guard play on the perimeter just do the best we can.”
Boswell scored 15 points against Xavier, but his other major contribution Friday was lending leadership to a group that includes first-year NCAA Tournament participants Riley, Ivišić and Kasparas Jakučionis.
Boswell played in the NCAA Tournament with Arizona and has tried to be a motivating voice for the young players — or a calming one when needed.
Boswell said he motioned to his teammates to slow down when Xavier cut Illinois’ lead to eight in the second half, reminding them to not make silly turnovers or take ill-advised shots.
“(He has led) with his ability to be vocal, with just his experience in moments like this,” forward Ben Humrichous said. “He’s been great with helping us prepare for big moments like yesterday’s game and the game we’re going to have tomorrow. Him helping us to prepare for what environments are going to be like has been incredibly helpful.”
Underwood has spoken several times over the last month about how Boswell stepped up his leadership in the wake of Illinois’ blowout loss to Duke on Feb. 22 at Madison Square Garden.
Boswell gave his input about how the Illini could tweak their defense. He pushed harder on and off the court.
“He’s still 19, and yet he’s a guy who has a wealth of knowledge and experience and he’s not afraid to lead,” Underwood said. “He’s not afraid to communicate and tell guys at times things they don’t want to hear.”
Illinois has gone 5-1 since that loss to Duke.
Now the Illini must figure out how to string together its second big performance in a win-or-go-home situation in three days, in an arena that they believe could have as many Kentucky fans as Illini ones.
Boswell will be a major key to that task.
“He’s tough. He’s gritty. He’s strong,” Underwood said of Boswell after Friday’s game. “He’s a veteran. He’s got a winning mindset. That rubs off.”