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Missouri seniors
Arthur Johnson and Ricky Paulding have garnered many accolades during their
careers. Despite their individual successes, both are still looking for their
first win against Illinois.
The 11th-ranked Tigers look to end a three-game losing streak against the Fighting
Illini in the annual ``Braggin' Rights'' game at the Kiel Center on Tuesday.
Missouri and Illinois have played each other at a neutral site in December every year since 1980, except for 1982. The Tigers have lost the last three meetings and trail the all-time series, 14-8.
``All I know is I haven't beaten them,'' Missouri senior Travon Bryant said. ``We're all looking forward to it.''
So is new Illinois coach Bruce Weber. This will be his first hands-on experience with one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. It's almost half-and-half, each side of the sold-out crowd trying to drown out the other.
``Everybody talks about it,'' Weber said. ``Throw out the records: It's one
of those games where you're going to have to fight it out.
``A game like this, somebody rises up and is special and makes a big difference.''
Weber was the coach at Southern Illinois when Missouri knocked the Salukis out of last year's NCAA tournament with a 72-71 victory.
``They make you earn things,'' Weber said. ``They have size and nothing comes easy because of that size.''
Illinois beat Missouri 85-70 last year behind a big game from guard Dee Brown, who had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead a lineup that included three freshmen.
Illinois hasn't played since beating Memphis 74-64 on Dec. 14.
Missouri is coming off a 106-98 win over UNC Greensboro on Sunday. Jason Conley, a transfer, had 19 points in his Tigers' debut, while Johnson scored 19 points.
Paulding, a preseason All-American, was held scoreless until the midway point of the second half, finishing with nine points.