Illinois dominates the Tiggers           

[DEC. 22, 2005]  Growing up in lovely Champaign-Urbana, December had several annual highlights. Of course, Christmas and the anticipation of presents was huge for this kid. Getting a couple of weeks off from school was also something I loved. And watching Illinois play Missouri in the annual Busch Braggin’ Rights game was always a must see event. I can remember watching Illini studs like Bruce Douglas, Ken Norman, Nick Anderson and Kenny Battle break the hearts of Tiger fans all across the Show Me State. I can remember being depressed well into the New Year when the Illini lost a triple overtime thriller in 1993. And I’ll never forget the 18-point comeback during the final four season of 1988-1989.

[click here for game pictures]

So, obviously, I’ve looked forward to last night’s game for most of the month.  Realizing the Illinois was ranked #6 in the land and Missouri was possibly a bottom ten team, I expected Illinois to win – and probably win fairly easily.  What happened Wednesday night in this beautiful River City, however, was beyond my wildest dream.  Illinois owned Mizzou from the get go and marched to the largest victory in the 25-year history of the series in St. Louis – 32 points (previous largest margin of victory was 22 points way back in 1980, the first year the game was played in St. Louis).  The final score was 82-50, and friends, it really wasn’t that close.  Illinois moves to 12-0 on the year and is almost assured of a perfect record heading into Big Ten conference play.  Missouri drops to .500 on the year at 4-4 and faces an uphill struggle to make it to post-season play.

Once again, the seniors led the way for the ever improving Illini.  Dee Brown had a huge first half of scoring and finished with 17 points and 7 assists, while James Augustine threw in 12 points and 8 rebounds.  Illinois led 39-21 at the half and was never seriously challenged.  Missouri’s only lead of the night was at 2-0 and they appear to be a program in very serious trouble.  We’ve taken some shots at Missouri coach Quin Snyder in the past and this Tiger effort was so bad we won’t even talk about his hair tonight. 

Illinois won for the sixth straight time in the series and now leads the series all-time 24-12, with 17 wins in 25 games played in St. Louis.  Illinois’ current six game win streak in the series is just two shy of the eight straight wins from 1983-1990.  The game and the series can really be summarized by a sign seen on Wednesday at Savvis Center:  “M-I-Z-We-Own-You.”  Right now, in terms of a border war, it is all Illinois – all the time.

Several other Illini reached double figures in scoring, including Brian Randle and Marcus Arnold, who each scored 13 points.  Freshman Jamar Smith made two more three-point baskets and Warren Carter, benched for most of the second half, scored nine late points, making the very most of his limited minutes.  Illinois out-rebounded the Tigers 41-36 and also benefited from 11 steals during the game.  Jimmy McKinney led Missouri with 11 points, their only double figure scorer, while Thomas Gardner, who entered the game leading the Big 12 conference in scoring, was held to just six points on the night thanks to great defense by Springfield’s Rich McBride.

 Illini Notes:

•   Two former Illini recruiting targets, Jimmy McKinney and Kalen Grimes, both played for Missouri.  When McKinney picked Missouri, Illinois then signed Deron Williams and when Grimes said yes to Snyder, Illinois offered Shaun Pruitt.  Williams was definitely the better college player, and the jury is still out on the Grimes vs. Pruitt debate.

• Three veteran officials worked the game, including LDN favorites Steve Welmer and Ted Hillary.  The always happy Jim Burr rounded out the crew.

•  Illinois shot 48% from the field for the game, but again missed several free throws – making 16 of 24 on the night.

• Illinois committed just 12 turnovers on the night, compared to 21 for Missouri.

•  Illinois made another eight three-point baskets, including five in the first half.

• Illinois’ final two non-conference games are next week.  The Illini will play Southeast Missouri State on December 28 and Tennessee-Martin on the 30^th.

[Greg Taylor]

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