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Illinois HC Brad Underwood Says Ref Admitted RJ Melendez Technical Was Wrong Call

Related Topics: Brad Underwood, Illinois, Houston

It's a case of too little, too late for the referee who whistled Illinois freshman RJ Melendez for a technical foul in Sunday's NCAA men's tournament loss to Houston.

Melendez was punished for hanging on the rim after throwing down a two-handed jam in the second half to cut the Fighting Illini's deficit to four points.

Head coach Brad Underwood said the call was "deflating" and "changes the momentum of the game." He added that official Brian O'Connell "told me he shouldn't ever have called it."

Brendan Quinn

Brad Underwood on RJ Melendez's technical foul.