Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Illinois Fighting Illini - News - December 17, 2022 | FOX Sports

Alabama A&M vs

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・December 17, 2022 December 17 Dec 17

Mayer picks up 21 pts, 7 reb to lead Illinois

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State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Jayden Epps - Five points, four reboundsEpps logged five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 27 minutes during Saturday's 68-47 win over Alabama A&M.

ImpactEpps did not improve his output while part of Illinois' starting lineup Saturday. Ramses Melendez (shoulder) is expected to replace the healthy freshman sooner than later. In spite of his injured shoulder, he logged three rebounds across 15 minutes as a backup option Saturday.

DECEMBER 18, 2022•ROTOWIRE

No. 18 Illinois survives a scare from Alabama A&M, pulling away for a 68-47 victory to improve to 8-3Matthew Mayer scored 21 points and added seven rebounds to help No. 18 Illinois overcome Alabama A&M’s comeback attempt for a 68-47 win Satu...

DECEMBER 18, 2022•CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Mayer scores 21 to lead No. 18 Illini past Alabama A&M 68-47

Matthew Mayer scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help No. 18 Illinois overcome Alabama A&M’s comeback push for a 68-47 win Saturday

DECEMBER 17, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS

RJ Melendez - Dealing with shoulder injuryMelendez posted zero points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench during Saturday's win over Alabama A&M.

ImpactMelendez came off the bench for the first time this season and was held scoreless across 15 minutes, his fewest since a 103-65 blowout win over Monmouth on Nov. 14. Coach Brad Underwood said after the game that Melendez hadn't practice all week due to a shoulder contusion, so given his poor play Saturday, the forward's availability should be monitored by fantasy mangers moving forward.

DECEMBER 17, 2022•ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez - Heads to bench SaturdayMelendez will come off the bench for Saturday's game against Alabama A&M.

ImpactMelendez has started all 10 games thus far, but played under 20 minutes last Saturday for the first time since Nov. 18 and now is being swapped in the starting lineup for Jayden Epps. The 6-7 sophomore should still have a sizeable role and could very well re-enter the starting five Thursday against Missouri.

DECEMBER 17, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Jayden Epps - Starting SaturdayEpps is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Alabama A&M.

ImpactEpps will get the first start of his collegiate career in place of Ramses Melendez. The 6-2 guard has been an important contributor off the bench, averaging 9.3 points per game and will now get a chance to see if he can remain in the first five moving forward.

DECEMBER 17, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Luke Goode - Sheds walking bootGoode (foot) was seen getting shots up ahead of Saturday's game against Alabama A&M without a walking boot, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

ImpactSaturday marks the first time Goode has been seen working out without a walking boot. Head coach Brad Underwood mentioned there is hope Goode could be back at the start of the calendar year, so look for him to potentially be back Jan. 4 against Northwestern if all goes well.

DECEMBER 17, 2022•ROTOWIRE