QUESTION: Who wins tonight’s Braggin’ Rights game between Missouri and Illinois?
VAHE GREGORIAN
Mizzou hasn’t just been winning but playing terrific basketball, and the veteran Tigers know and treasure the meaning of winning this game as they ended a streak of nine straight MU losses in the series with two Mizzou wins. Sure, Illinois will pose some problems the Tigers haven’t faced, particularly in the form of 7-foot-1 Meyers Leonard, and MU can’t afford to have Ricardo Ratliffe get in foul trouble, but I’ll look for a Tiger victory along the lines of 79-70.
BRYAN BURWELL
Missouri wins, 81-74. The Tigers are an experienced squad that has already defined its playing personality, while the young Illini are still in the process of developing theirs. That is all the edge Mizzou needs.
STU DURANDO
Missouri is the clear favorite based on its ability to dismantle opponents while Illinois has had to fight for many of its wins down to the final minute. The Illini have had trouble stopping dribble penetration and Phil Pressey will be the ultimate challenge. They also have to figure out a way to defend four guards and that will almost surely mean more minutes for freshman guard Tracy Abrams. This is not a great matchup for Illinois, but the Illini can make things interesting if they can take advantage of Meyers Leonard. Missouri 77, Illinois 66.
TOM TIMMERMANN
All eyes will be on the Scottrade Center tonight, except for mine, which will be watching SLU play Arkansas State at Chaifetz. I think this one is fairly cut and dried: Mizzou is playing well defensively and Illinois is having trouble scoring, which all points to an easy win for the Tigers, who I think are a notch or two better than the Cornell team that almost beat the Illini earlier this week. I also pick SLU to beat Arkansas State by 20, not that anyone asked.
REID LAYMANCE
I like Missouri because of the quickness of their guards. The only thing I’d worry about with a Mizzou pick, is if Meyers Leonard starts dominating inside for the Illini. So, I’lll go Missouri 73, Illinois 65.
RICK HUMMEL
Because of its edge in experience, Missouri prevails. But the game will be much closer than expected and if Illinois’ Leonard can stay out of foul trouble and on the floor, Illinois could win.
JEFF GORDON
Illinois is having trouble scoring this season. Missouri is not. Although the towering Illini can create serious defensive match-up troubles for the Tigers inside, Mizzou should counter by exploiting their quickness with slashes and cuts to the basket. Unless MU suffers a terrible shooting night from the perimeter, their pace should prevail over the Illini size.
