CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It wasn’t necessarily impressive, but a win is a win in late February.
Just a mere two days after RJ Melendez seemed like he had no confidence in himself — and missing a potential game-tying shot in the loss to Indiana — he turns around and posts his first-career double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) as Illinois snapped a two-game skid and beat lowly Minnesota, 78-69.
Originally scheduled for Feb. 7, issues related to COVID-19 in the Gophers program caused the contest be moved to Monday night at State Farm Center, the second of four games in nine days for the Illini.