BRAD VIBES: Underwood came to believe that OSU didn't value basketball as much as it should shares email

The relationship between Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder, left, and former men's basketball coach Brad Underwood soured recently. A source said Holder told Underwood he was asking for a Final Four-type pay increase, but the Cowboys currently are on a level of Iowa State, Texas Tech and Kansas State in the Big 12. Underwood resigned on Saturday to take the head job at Illinois. [PHOTO BY TYLER DRABEK, FOR THE OKLAHOMAN]

STILLWATER — Around 12:30 p.m. Friday, OSU led Michigan 52-46 in the second half of an NCAA Tournament game in Indianapolis, and the future of Cowboy basketball looked bright. Great players. Great coach. Great excitement. Great momentum. Literally 27 hours later, the excitement is gone, the momentum has crashed and the future looks grim. Brad Underwood is in Illinois and OSU fans are in despair, wondering how they can ever replace Underwood and why they lost him. First, the easiest answer. Illinois is a heck of a job. OSU is a good job, too, but Illinois is a better job. Bigger state. BASKETBALL state. Fertile recruiting grounds. More stable conference. Solid tradition.