No. 18 Illinois Prepares for Braggin’ Rights Battle with Missouri
The Braggin’ Rights game isn’t just another non-conference matchup-it’s a December tradition that carries real weight for both Illinois and Missouri. And heading into Monday night’s showdown in St.
Louis, No. 18 Illinois is looking to bounce back from a tough loss while Missouri aims to keep its momentum rolling.
For Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, this past week of practice has been all about recalibrating. The Fighting Illini (8-3) are coming off an 83-80 heartbreaker at home to Nebraska, a game that exposed some key areas needing attention-particularly on the defensive end and in the frontcourt.
“We got a horrendous stat line from everybody that played [in the frontcourt],” Underwood said after the loss. “No rebounds.
I mean, there’s nothing there. And that’s on me.”
That’s not coach-speak-it’s a direct challenge to a talented group that includes forward David Mirkovic and center Tomislav Ivisic. Mirkovic, who’s been averaging 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, was held to just four points and two boards against Nebraska. Ivisic, typically good for 10 points a night, managed only three.
Underwood’s frustration wasn’t just about numbers-it was about toughness. Nebraska lit up Illinois from deep, hitting 12 of 26 from beyond the arc. That lack of perimeter resistance has become a focal point this week in practice.
“It’s a mental tenacity, it’s a toughness, it’s a grit,” Underwood said. “And we’ve had that.
We had that in Tennessee. We had it in the second half against Ohio State.
But it wasn’t there against Nebraska.”
Guard Kylan Boswell, Illinois’ leading scorer at 16.1 points per game, echoed his coach’s sentiments. He pointed to a lack of communication and maturity on defense, particularly when it came to transition coverage and missed switches.
“Just immaturity sometimes,” Boswell said. “And then also being young, it’s difficult at times. A lot of missed switches because we’re not talking… we’ve talked about it all week: Don’t run to the paint-run to the 3-point line.”
That defensive discipline will be tested against a Missouri team that can stretch the floor. The Tigers (10-2) have found a groove offensively, and head coach Dennis Gates has leaned into that by inserting Jacob Crews into the starting lineup. Crews is shooting a blistering 52.9% from three, and his presence on the perimeter opens up driving lanes for forward Mark Mitchell, who leads Mizzou with 18.2 points per game.
Mitchell has been a force around the rim, and he’s embraced the challenge from Gates and the coaching staff to bring more intensity on the defensive end, too.
“The coaches have challenged us the last couple of days,” Mitchell said after Missouri’s 82-60 win over Bethune-Cookman. “Just to fix some things, get back to being disciplined, get back to our habits.”
That message has resonated across the roster. Guard T.O. Barrett emphasized the team’s focus on closing out shooters, clogging driving lanes, and generating deflections-hallmarks of a defense that wants to dictate tempo, not just react.
Missouri is also getting a boost from guard Anthony Robinson II, who’s heating up at just the right time. After a quiet four-game stretch, Robinson has dropped 34 points and dished out 12 assists over his last two outings. Gates is pushing him to become a steadier presence in his junior season-especially now that he’s logging heavy minutes.
“He’s just settling in,” Gates said. “Learning how to play 30 minutes, plus getting into game shape. The mental and emotional side-playing through fatigue, making the right plays when you’re tired-that’s the next step.”
One question mark for Missouri heading into Monday is the status of guard Jayden Stone, who’s averaging 13.3 points per game. Stone hasn’t played since Nov. 20 due to a broken bone in his non-shooting hand and remains questionable for the rivalry clash.
This year’s Braggin’ Rights game carries the usual fire, but both teams are using it as a measuring stick, too. For Illinois, it’s a chance to clean up the defensive lapses and reassert their physicality in the paint. For Missouri, it’s an opportunity to prove their offensive flow can hold up against a ranked opponent with something to prove.
It’s more than bragging rights-it’s a midseason gut check. And both teams are coming in with something to prove.