How To Watch Missouri-Illinois, Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines

The Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini meet for the 41st time in the annual Braggin' Rights Game in St. Louis

SCOUTING REPORT: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Missouri Tigers

Another year, another Braggin’ Rights matchup. Losers of 4 of the last 5 matchups with Mizzou, the Illini come in with the chance to wrap up their Power 5 non-conference schedule with a QUAD 2 win and for revenge after last year’s beatdown.

Game Time: Friday 8 P.M CST

Where: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, Missouri

TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1)

Betting Lines: Illinois -6.5

Injury Report: 

ILLINOIS

 PG Niccolò Moretti (OUT – Foot)

MISSOURI

G Caleb Grill (OUT – Wrist)

Projected Starting Lineups:

ILLINOIS

G – Ty Rodgers

G – Terrance Shannon Jr

G/F – Marcus Domask

F – Quincy Guerrier

F – Coleman Hawkins

MISSOURI

G – Sean East II

G – Nick Honor

G – Tamar Bates

F – Noah Carter

F – Aidan Shaw

WHAT TO EXPECT

- Missouri enters 7-4 and is coming off two disappointing losses to Kansas and Seton Hall. Second-year coach Dennis Gates is looking to getting the Tigers back on track.

- Sean East II has been a surprise for the Tigers. He is averaging 17.1 points and 3.9 assists. He is the focal point of the Tiger’s offense, especially in the absence of Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill.

- No one in the Mizzou starting lineup is above 6-foot-8. Dennis Gates will have the Tigers running in transition to use their small-ball lineup to their advantage.

- The Tigers are shooting 36.2 percent from the 3-point line, averaging nearly nine attempts. The Illini need to lock in their perimeter defense.

Keys to the Game

- Play Inside Out: With a size advantage, the Illini should be able to get whatever they want in the paint.

- Transition Defense: Mizzou plays small ball and wants to get out and run the break.

- Manage Expectations: Yes, Mizzou lost to Jackson State. Yes, they’re 7-4. Yes, the Illini are heavy favorites. Throw all of that away. This is a rivalry game. Mizzou will be amped. The Illini cannot walk into the arena assuming a win is guaranteed.

Illinois-Missouri Basketball Set To Face Off For The 41st Time In St. Louis

Sam King is a contributor to Illini Now. He can be reached at sjking258@gmail.com.