Illinois guard RJ Melendez walks off the court with a bloody cut over his right eye during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Penn State Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex ArbogastThe region's basketball week got off to a great start when the Illinois flexed some Big Ten muscle at the Jimmy V Classic in New York.
The Illini toppled No. 2 Texas 85-78 in overtime Tuesday and left coach Brad Underwood glowing.
“We’ve got winners,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “They’re all state champions.