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Illinois vs. Missouri: Best Braggin’ Rights games of the last 10 Years

By Joey Loose

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 20: Rayvonte Rice #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is mobbed by his teammates after making the game-winning shot as Keith Shamburger #14 of the Missouri Tigers leaves the court during the 34th Annual Bud Light Braggin' Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 20: Rayvonte Rice #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is mobbed by his teammates after making the game-winning shot as Keith Shamburger #14 of the Missouri Tigers leaves the court during the 34th Annual Bud Light Braggin' Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Phil Pressey #1 of the Missouri Tigers during the Bud Light Braggin’ Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 22, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Phil Pressey #1 of the Missouri Tigers during the Bud Light Braggin’ Rights game at the Scottrade Center on December 22, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

5. #12 Missouri 82, #10 Illinois 73 (December 22, 2012)

John Groce’s first year started extremely well for the Illini. They won the Maui Invitational, winning all three games by at least 17 points (albeit against USC, Chaminade, and Butler). They won at #10 Gonzaga and Brandon Paul was scoring in droves, putting up 3 in that game in Spokane. They sat at a surprising 12-0 before their game with Missouri, but any dream of an unbeaten season would end in St. Louis.

Laurence Bowers scored 23 for the Tigers, leading four starters in double-digits while also added 10 rebounds. The Tigers didn’t shoot outstanding, but coasted to the nine-point victory off 58 rebounds (just 35 for Illinois). Brandon Paul got 23 points, but he was just 5-18 from the field and the Illini made just 25% of their 3’s. They needed a few more shots to fall to keep their unbeaten season alive. Down six at the half, Illinois fought back, but lost the lead for good on a 9-0 Missouri run late in the half.

Both teams had very solid non-conference seasons and would ride moderate success into the NCAA Tournament. 2013 was Illinois’ most recent appearance while Missouri would start to fall apart in subsequent years. These teams were both ranked in the top 12 in the country, something neither team has consistently sniffed since this game. Attendance has dropped in recent years, but this was definitely a night in St. Louis where the Enterprise Center was rocking.

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