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Behind the Mic

Nine In a Row Would Be a Record

Posted by: Brian Barnhart

Monday, December 22, 2008 3:23 PM

The last time Missouri beat the Fighting Illini in St.Louis....a lot of people were worried that computers around the world would crash on the morning of Jan 1, 2000 and there would be no electricity or food when the new year rolled around.

That's right...the last time Mizzou beat Illinois in the Busch Braggin Rights Game....my oldest daughter was 2 years old. This past July we celebrated her 11th birthday.

So as you can tell....the Tigers havent had the big' Braggin Rights' trophy for quite a while...and they want it back real bad.

That is the kind of emotion that Bruce Weber's team will be facing Tuesday night in St.Louis. And he has already warned his team that Missouri will lay everything on the line to end the losing streak to Illinois.

So who should the favorite be this year? Hard to tell.

The Illini are 10-1 after a 31-point win over Detroit....but Bruce Weber wasnt happy with his team's effort. Too many turnovers and not enough rebounding are areas that the coach is concerned about as we inch towards the start of Big Ten play on December 30th.

Mizzou coach Mike Anderson had a tough year last year. He had to dismiss two players from the team during a disappointing 16-16 season. Expectations in Columbia are low and attendance has been poor at home games for the Tigers.

But the Illni coaches say they are impressed with the Tigers effort and hustle during their 9-1 start and realize that getting a 9th straight win(a series record by the way) in this heated rivalry will require this Illini team to match the Tigers intensity. ....especially important with the full-court pressing style Missouri brings to the table.

This game is always one of the highlights of the basketball season. Hopefully the Illini can make it a record-setting night as well.

Talk to you by the Arch on Tuesday night!