Illinois vs. Missouri: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

Illinois and Missouri face off again this year in the Braggin’ Rights game. Can Missouri pick up a signature win for their resume and pull off the upset? Or does Illinois come out on top for a second consecutive season?

TV Schedule: Thursday, December 22, 9:00 PM ET, SEC Network

Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

Illinois and Missouri meet under the arch on Thursday night in downtown St. Louis. Both of these teams would love to pick up a victory before heading home for a break before the upcoming holiday, and conference play right around the corner.

This will be the 53rd meeting between the two respected schools. The Illini holds the all-time bragging rights currently as they lead the series 33-19 heading into Thursday night.

Missouri enters this contest with a record of 10-1 in year one under new head coach Dennis Gates. They are led by four of their seniors in guards D’Moi Hodge and Nick Honor, plus forwards Kobe Brown and Noah Carter. All four seniors in Hodge, Honor, Brown, Carter and junior DeAndre Gholston are averaging double digits in scoring through their first eleven games. Missouri really likes to push the ball and play fast. It shows in the stats as they are averaging 88.4 PPG which is currently 4th out of 363 in the nation.

Missouri has one of the best offenses this season, but who have the Tigers played? According to Sports Reference, Missouri sits at 285th of 363 in the country for strength of schedule.

We will see Thursday night how good the Missouri offense is when they go up against Illinois. The Illini are ranked as the 42nd-best defensive team in the country when it comes to their opponents scoring giving up only 62.1 PPG.

Illinois (8-3) is led by their senior in Terrence Shannon Jr. The former Red Raider has been great transitioning to Champagne averaging 17.8 ppg, 5.5 rebs, and 2.7 assists. The Illini also have junior forward Coleman Hawkins, and former Baylor Bears in Matthew Mayer and Dain Dainja.

Brad Underwood also brought in a talent freshman class led by guard Skyy Clark. Illinois is going to become a deeper team starting on Thursday night as well. It was announced on Tuesday that big man Zacharie Perrin is eligible immediately to join the program. How much will he play right away? Probably not a lot as he gets adjusted, but he will be key for the Illini especially down low in the post once conference play ramps up soon.

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The Illini have started Big Ten play by dropping its first two games in conference, but have two top ten wins over Texas and UCLA under their belts which will go a long way come March.

This game is going to come down to which team’s strength wins overall. The higher the score plays more into Missouri’s hands with their offense. On the other hand, if Illinois is able to control the pace and lock in on defense end while controlling the glass they should come away with the victory and get a second consecutive win over the Tigers. I feel Missouri fights to keep it close in this matchup with Illinois pulling away late.

Prediction: Illinois 78, Missouri 69