Impact Fortunately for Clark, he will not have to sit out multiple games because of his shoulder. The guard will try redeeming himself after scoring zero points across 19 minutes when Illinois hosted Missouri on Dec. 22.
JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 5-1 · 8TH IN BIG TEN
5-1 · 8TH IN BIG TEN
Next Game vs Arkansas · Thu 9:00PM
Skyy Clark - Available at Northwestern Clark (shoulder) is available Wednesday at Northwestern, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Skyy Clark - Able to practice Clark (shoulder) is able to practice, Derek Piper of Rivals.com reports.
Impact Clark will wear a shoulder brace until he is ready to play without it. Currently, the freshman has questionable availability before Illinois' game Wednesday at Northwestern.
JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Dainja leads Illinois against Northwestern after 22-point showing
Illinois visits the Northwestern Wildcats after Dain Dainja scored 22 points in the Fighting Illini's 85-52 win against the Bethune-Cookman WildcatsJANUARY 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Luke Goode - Could return during January Goode (foot) could return during January, according to Andy Kimball of the Decatur Herald.
Impact Four days before 2023, Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood said Goode could be "back sometime in the next few weeks." He is expected to sit out when Illinois and Northwestern play on Wednesday. However, Underwood's statement indicates Goode could return during mid-January.
JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ranking the 11 best road wins so far, and how they could matter in March
There have already been a handful of road wins that could end up being the best of the season. And in March, they could help decide selectio...JANUARY 2, 2023
23 in '23: Top college basketball storylines entering the new year
Whether you're just getting into college hoops as the calendar turns to January or you're looking for a reset on the sport, here are 23 stor...DECEMBER 30, 2022
Dain Dainja - Leading scorer in win Dainja finished with 22 points (8-10 FG, 6-11 FT), six rebounds, four steals, four blocks and two assists across 26 minutes during Thursday's 85-52 win over the Bethune-Cookman Wi...
Impact Dainja showcased his full offensive arsenal against the Wildcats, leading the team in scoring while also being very efficient from the field. He was also an absolute force on the defensive end, leading the team in steals and blocks. The sophomore forward has been a completely different player for Illinois this season, averaging 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds across 17.7 minutes per night.
DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dainja scores 22 as Illinois defeats Bethune-Cookman 85-52
Dain Dainja scored a career-high 22 points and led five players in double-digit scoring as Illinois returned from a week off to power past Bethune-Cookman, 85-52DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Skyy Clark - Deemed day-to-day Clark (shoulder) is being considered day-to-day ahead of Illinois' next game Wednesday at Northwestern, Derek Piper of Rivals.com reports.
Impact Clark was held out of Thursday's clash against Bethune-Cookman due to a left shoulder injury, but he's not yet guaranteed to miss additional time. The team will likely evaluate the guard on a daily basis moving forward with more updates likely to surface closer to Wednesday's tipoff.
DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
RJ Melendez - Heads to bench Thursday Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Bethune-Cookman, Ethan Simmons of The News-Gazette reports.
Impact Melendez will head to the bench Thursday with head coach Brad Underwood opting to go bigger and begin the game with Dain Dainja. Melendez has recently been limited with a shoulder injury and has played less than 20 minutes in each of the last three games. He could see some additional rest tonight with the Illini matched up against a much weaker opponent.
DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sencire Harris - Enters starting lineup Harris is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Bethune-Cookman, Ethan Simmons of The News-Gazette reports.
Impact Harris will get the first start of his collegiate career with Skyy Clarke sidelined due to a shoulder injury. The 6-4 freshman is averaging 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game and will have a prime opportunity for an extended role against a lesser opponent Thursday night.
DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dain Dainja - Starting Thursday Dainja is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Bethune-Cookman, Ethan Simmons of The News-Gazette reports.
Impact Dainja will get his first start of the year with head coach Brad Underwood opting to go with a bigger lineup Thursday night. The 6-9 Baylor transfer is averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game and will look to take advantage of the opportunity against a weaker opponent.
DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Skyy Clark - Will not suit up Thursday Clark (shoulder) will not suit up for Illinois' Thursday night matchup against Bethune-Cookman University, Scott Beatty of WDWS reports.
Impact Clark was a shell of his self last Thursday against Mizzou, going scoreless in 19 minutes. His poor play can be attributed to the pain he's feeling in his left shoulder. The freshman's timetable to return is currently unknown but expect him to find his groove once he's back in the rotation.
DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
College basketball roundtable: LSU, Wisconsin among big surprises so far
Andy Katz and John Fanta touch on a number of topics throughout college hoops, including LSU's fast start and Creighton's Christmas Day show...DECEMBER 22, 2022
Jayden Epps - Five points, four rebounds Epps 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.
Impact Epps 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 8-3 Matthew 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 SaturdayDECEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
RJ Melendez - Dealing with shoulder injury Melendez 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.
Impact Melendez 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 Saturday Melendez will come off the bench for Saturday's game against Alabama A&M.
Impact Melendez 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 Saturday Epps is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Alabama A&M.
Impact Epps 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 boot Goode (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.
Impact Saturday 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
No. 18 Illinois hosts Peek-Green and Alabama A&M
Alabama A&M visits the No. 18 Illinois Fighting Illini after Omari Peek-Green scored 23 points in the Bulldogs' 78-71 loss to the South Alabama JaguarsDECEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No. 18 Illinois hosts Alabama A&M after Peek-Green's 23-point game
Alabama A&M visits the No. 18 Illinois Fighting Illini after Omari Peek-Green scored 23 points in the Bulldogs' 78-71 loss to the South Alabama JaguarsDECEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
College basketball notebook: Ohio State's questionable buzzer-beater win
It was a wild week of college basketball, including a controversial finish that showed one replay rule should be changed. Andy Katz breaks i...DECEMBER 12, 2022
Skyy Clark - Logs 11 points in loss Clark provided 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 32 minutes during Saturday's 74-59 loss to Penn State.
Impact Clark scored over 10 points for the first time in four games but he and his teammates struggled down the stretch en route to another loss. As he's taken double-digit shots on just one occasion, Clark needs to be even more efficient from the field if he's to gain some confidence in his production.
DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
