Yes, absolutely love his free throw shooting. If that happens to go, then what...
Pregame: Illinois vs Minnesota, Monday, February 20th, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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I feel really bad for the kid, I've never seen anything like this before.
IllinoisFan733
- Chicago
Hope we get a big lead and get RJ 25 minutes and some stress-free game time and scoring to boost his confidence.
theNewGuy
- Dallas, TX
He needs to see some balls drop. His shoulder injury really messed with his shot and that eroded his confidence. If his shoulder is good now, then this is the perfect game for him to shoot. Just seeing one go in could spark him
It's time to shelve the hopefulness. He's had all these games to score. It's the crucial end of the season and we should be done with the experimenting. It's too late now. We need to be past the one and done in these tournaments.
Is TJS and Harris back for the Minnesota game. I heard rumors Harris got hurt against IU [NO FOUL, HE WASN'T BLEEDING]
The mind is a powerful thing, both good and bad.
Any word on TSJ? 6 hours before tip I would imagine we know by now.
Apologies if i missed it
Apologies if i missed it
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
When he hit that three at the end of the PSU game everyone was saying this, but it definitely didn't get him back on track.
At this time RJ should not be in any sort of regular rotation plan. He should only see the floor if we are in foul trouble or everyone else is failing miserably. I like him but until he gets things figured out he needs to sit. We have others that can contribute more than him right now. Think about it, if he was playing like this last year at this time he wouldn't have been in the last 15 games except for mop up time.
We'll be facing three teams that don't perform with excellence where we will face them. I like those odds.
And we are a streaky team that performs well against competition that gets befuddled by streaks. I like those odds even more...
Is RJ playing well? definitely not. But the kid has so much potential and from what I've seen, he continues to play above average defense and play hard when he's on the floor. If coach keeps putting him out there, he should have our support. I really hope the crowd cheers for him tonight if he's in the game for 1 minute or 40 minutes.
Big Jack
- Decatur
From all the games I have attended these past 2 years no one has ever not cheered for RJ or any players... Only in here do fans boo and trash players..
Disclaimer: this is not aimed at you!
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Correct
Will be back Thursday against Northwestern
Hoping he has no lingering effects and now has fresh legs for the stretch run.
He should be good! If it was Northwestern tonight, he could maybe have played
Beyond a win, my hope is the Illini can go the whole game without a turnover on a stupid pass into the post/lane. Between Hawk’s telegraphed, triple-clutch attempts to feed the post (does he not realize the other team’s players can see him) and ill-advised bounce passes from about 17 feet into the lane by Mayer and Hawk, my lungs get a workout from yelling at the TV. Some RJ shots falling would be nice too.
RJ Melendez: 3 things to know about the Illinois basketball guard
Three things to know about RJ Melendez, the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball guard. His hometown is Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Some History and biography on RJ
Negative thinking is a tough thing to get rid of once it takes root in one’s mind. And it has clearly taken root with Melendrez. And we’ve seen it in others over the years.
There are two ways out of the trap. First is lots and lots of shot-taking in practice. Working on the entire technique of your shot. Are you getting your feet set right? Are you releasing the ball with the right kind of spin? Are you getting the proper loft angle? Are you RELAXED as you shoot because tension in the body is fatal to scoring. You’ve got to find that muscle memory you have when you’re shot has been on fire in the past. The memory is there.
And second? Once all that ‘technique’ and practice stuff is over... you STOP THINKING. You do NOT think. You do NOT entertain any negative thoughts -- or any thoughts -- whatsoever.
You find your spots on the floor... you wait to get your feed... and then let your body take over without thinking. ‘Thinking’ is the second fatal thing to good shooting. You just let it flow without strain and effort. And THAT’s how you get ‘It’ back.
There is a time in roundball to think.. and then there are times when you had better NOT think. ‘Cause if you do... your floor focus ain’t right.
When guys are in ‘The Zone’ they are NOT thinking. Therein is the answer.
Dang it, DJM, I used to like you. But now approaching golf season in southwestern Illinois you have to bring up all the issues in my golf game that I thought I had worked out!? Might as well have just said the “S” word that rhymes with Thanks.
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