RJ Melendez
Nebraska's Sam Griesel, center, drives between Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and Matthew Mayer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers 1/10/2023

Jan. 10, 2023 09:56 PM EST

Illinois' Jayden Epps (3) eyes the basket against Texas' Marcus Carr (5) in overtime during the team's NCAA college basketball game in the Jimmy V Classic, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 17 Illinois rallies late, beats No. 2 Texas 85-78 in OT

By Larry Fleisher Dec. 06, 2022 10:06 PM EST

Syracuse's Mounir Hima grabs a rebound during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Hawkins has triple-double, No. 16 Illinois thumps Syracuse

By Gavin Good Nov. 29, 2022 09:58 PM EST

Illinois' Dain Dainja (42) lays the ball up as Lindenwood's Remy Lemovou (42) and Cam Burrell (5) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Clark, Melendez lead Illinois in 92-59 rout of Lindenwood

By Gavin Good Nov. 25, 2022 10:59 PM EST

Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. reaches for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Monmouth, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Shannon scores 30 as No. 19 Illinois routs Monmouth 103-65

By Gavin Good Nov. 14, 2022 11:37 PM EST

Houston 's Taze Moore (4) gets off a pass around Illinois 's Coleman Hawkins (33) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 20, 2022. Houston won 68-53. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Moore scores 21, Houston hammers Illinois to make Sweet 16

By Tom Withers Mar. 20, 2022 02:44 PM EDT

Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) blocks a shot by Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Rutgers downs No. 12 Illinois, 4th straight vs ranked team

By Tom Canavan Feb. 16, 2022 09:30 PM EST

Illinois' RJ Melendez (15) shoots as Northwestern's Ryan Greer defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 13 Illini survive scare against Northwestern, 73-66

By Gavin Good Feb. 13, 2022 04:40 PM EST