Missouri basketball has incredible opportunity to get a big win that could turn the season around and separate them from last year’s team.
It’s no secret around Columbia that Missouri basketball has been suffering. Fans have been trying to point out the highlights and all the things going right with the team, the only problem is that conversation doesn’t ever last very long.
Sloppy turnovers, lack of confidence shooting, no real hustle plays for loose balls and no hustle on defense. Last year’s team suffered from severe lack of chemistry, something that’s clearly been ironed out. But as far as the things that excite the school and fan base, there’s been nothing to brag about.
This could all change on Wednesday night however, as the Tigers and the Illinois Fighting Illini will meet for their yearly holiday installment on the college basketball court. The game will be the 35th in the Busch Braggin’ Rights series that has seen Illinois dominate overall and over the past two seasons.
A Mizzou optimist? You can say the Tigers have won the last four of six games, but that’s about all you can say. And none of the players that won those games are around anymore.
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Traditionally, these teams have been ranked in the top 25 many times in previous meetings. And while the game is going to lack some of the national attention and flavor that comes along with a solid neutral-watch game, there’s still plenty to be able to brag about if the Tigers can pull out a victory.
The Illini roll in to St. Louis sporting a 7-5 record on the season. None of their wins really jump out at you as being amazing, but at least one of their losses should raise some eyebrows. The same Providence team that beat Arizona? They beat Illinois by one point back in mid-November, a game that was given away when Illinois inexplicably missed several shots near the end of the game.
Illinois also played the No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones in a good game that was ultimately won by the Cyclones 84-73.
So what does Missouri have to do to avoid dropping to a losing record, which would be good enough for the worst non-conference record in the SEC?
It’s clear that this year’s team has a lot more potential than last season. It has only come in short bursts, but Missouri has shown at times that they are up to playing really well with some really tough teams. Even in the N.C. State game, ball control was incredible in the first half. If Missouri can just find that good rhythm (that they are clearly capable of) and keep it going for an entire basketball game, I think they’re good enough to beat a lot of different teams this season.
Remember, last years’ squad lost this contest by only three points. The value of a win in this game, for the confidence of the players and the credibility of Kim Anderson at this point, can not be overstated.
The good news for Missouri is that the Illini are no longer rolling with Rayvonte Rice, the guy who dropped 19 on the Tigers last year, including the three-point shot at the end of the game to seal the win.
The bad news however is that they still are rolling with Malcolm Hill. Hill had a modest 10 points against Mizzou last year, but comes in leading the Illini in scoring, as well as nearly every defensive category (steals, blocks and rebounding). He can do it all.
If Missouri are going to walk away with clear-cut evidence that they aren’t last year’s team, they are going to need to play incredible defense and try to take Hill’s ability out of the formula for Illinois. Players who have been performing on the fence will need to play a well-rounded game. The guards are clearly Missouri’s strong point, so the three-ball will almost have to be falling to pull out the win.
But thankfully the game isn’t played on paper. Check out the Braggin’ Rights game on Wednesday night at 6:00pm CT on ESPN2, and as always, coming from the Scottrade Center in beautiful downtown St. Louis.