Illinois vs. Missouri: Best Braggin' Rights Games of the Last 10 Years

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

By Joey Loose | Dec 20, 2018

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 20: Rayvonte Rice #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the game-winning shot over Keith Shamburger #14 of the Missouri Tigers 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) /

1. Illinois 62, Missouri 59 (December 20, 2014)

One of the themes of the first four games mentioned no longer applied anymore. These were two teams that were no longer getting off to hot starts, and in fact neither team has been ranked during the Braggin’ Rights game since 2013. Missouri’s first year under Kim Anderson was a struggle, losing at home to UMKC and finishing in seventh at the Maui Invitational. Illinois fared a little better, but lost all their games to solid competition, including Miami, Villanova, and Oregon. Despite each team’s struggle, this was still an incredible game, and provided the most exciting moment in recent rivalry history.

Neither team led by more than six throughout the entire back and forth game. Shooting (44% vs. 42%) and rebounds (33 for Illinois, 32 for Missouri) were very even. The Illini hit a late 3 to take a 2-point halftime lead, but clearly this game was competitive for forty minutes. Wes Clark hit a jumper for the Tigers to tie the game at 59 with under 30 seconds left, giving the Illini one last possession. With time running out, Rayvonte Rice hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Illini the win.

Game hero Rayvonte Rice led the game with 19 points, though clearly none sweeter than the final three. Johnathan Williams had 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Tigers. Missouri’s 14 turnovers likely lost them a game that came down to the final possession, the latest of great moments during the Braggin’ Rights.

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It wasn’t because of this game, but Missouri had an awful year, ending up 9-23, miles away from their 30-win season just three years prior. The Illini had another average year in the Big Ten, but couldn’t turn that into anything more than another NIT appearance. They have since won the last three Braggin’ Rights games as well, but it’s been dark times for both of these storied programs. Cuonzo Martin and Brad Underwood are both solid coaches, and perhaps next year’s Braggin’ Rights game will have the same kind of high-ranking action of previous years. For now, enjoy the match-up on Saturday and know that anything could happen in a rivalry game.

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