CHAMPAIGN — Malcolm Hill grew up with the Braggin’ Rights game basically in his backyard. Michael Finke, son of a former Illini and Champaign native, has followed the series his entire life.
But Wednesday’s 6 p.m. game against Missouri in St. Louis is a brand-new experience for most of the Illini. Just four of them — juniors Hill, Kendrick Nunn, Jaylon Tate and Maverick Morgan — have played in the rivalry game.
It will be a first for Finke after he watched from the sidelines last year when Rayvonte Rice hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.