Busting Brackets
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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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COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 15: Marcus Denmon #12 of the Missouri Tigers stretches during the game against the Kennesaw State Owls on December 15, 2011 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 15: Marcus Denmon #12 of the Missouri Tigers stretches during the game against the Kennesaw State Owls on December 15, 2011 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

4. #9 Missouri 78, #25 Illinois 74 (December 22, 2011)

When Frank Haith was hired, he inherited an already solid team and elevated them to another level. The Tigers entered the Braggin’ Rights game at 11-0 already possessing wins over teams like Villanova, California, and Notre Dame, all by double-digits. A ranked team themselves, the Illini were no slouch, but they were also the first real test for the Tigers in 2011.

Missouri jumped to a 41-30 halftime lead, but a charge by the Illini made this a game. Phil Pressey scored 18 for the Tigers, while Michael Dixon Jr. added 18 from the bench. Illinois shot 50% from the field, including a perfect 9-9 for 19 points from reserve guard Joseph Bertrand. Ultimately, committing 17 turnovers ultimately doomed the Illini, double-doubles by Brandon Paul and Meyers Leonard not enough to upset the Tigers.

After losing to the Tigers, Illinois’s season went downhill, an 11-1 start dying in Big Ten play and a 17-15 finish, leading to Bruce Weber’s dismissal. Missouri won 30 games but their success was overshadowed by a shocking loss to 15-seed Norfolk State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. On paper, these teams should not have played such a tight game, but that’s just the beauty of the neutral site atmosphere in St. Louis.

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