Underwood: “This is bigger than a tournament”

Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY SportsCHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sports are generally an escape from the problems and realities of the real world, but Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman and others around the Big Ten and NCAA have decided to take those away through the rest of the school year to preserve the health and safety of student athletes and all involved as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the country.

“These last 24 hours have been heartbreaking,” Whitman said in regards to the cancelation of any and all athletic events through the end of the spring season, including all spring men’s and woman’s sports. “I think it’s been a really empowering reminder of the reach and breath…