For the first time in what seemed like ages, the Braggin’ Rights Game became relevant Saturday night as 21,289 packed Scottrade Center to watch Missouri and Illinois turn back the clock and play a college basketball game that mattered again.
The crowd showed up, but not the Tigers. At least not early.
In the rivalry game’s 37th edition in St. Louis but first under new coaches, Mizzou’s Cuonzo Martin and Illinois’ Brad Underwood, Illinois stormed to a 20-point halftime lead then survived the Tigers’ best counterpunches in the second half, enough for a 70-64 victory, the Illini’s fifth straight in the series.