Illini Streak at Nine....But It Has Not Always Been Easy
Yes....the Illini freshman were only in 3rd grade the last time (1999) Missouri beat Illinois in the Braggin' Rights game in St.Louis.
Yes....the United States has had 3 different Presidents in that span of time.
Yes...I was still living in California and drawing a paycheck from the Anaheim Angels major league baseball club.
Yes...My oldest daughter (now 12 years old)... was only 2....and my youngest daughter (now 9) wasnt even born yet the last time the Tigers beat the Illini in this game.
But watch out.......because despite the Illini remarkable 9-game win streak....the games between the two teams have been close.
In fact....during Bruce Weber's time at Illinois (6 years)....4 of the Illini-Tiger games have been decided by a total of 11 points and two of the games were decided by 1-point. Even the game that started the current streak was a close one.... the Illini (led by Bill Self) only winning by 5 points in an overtime battle in December 2000.
Even the Illini Final 4 team in 2004-05 only beat Mizzou by 6 points...one of the closest calls of their 29-0 start that season.
Now........last years game was a blowout. The Illini led 40-22 at the half and shot 57 percent for the game. But.....those type of games have been rare.
In fact.....that Tiger team turned out to be very good...winning a school record 31 games and making it all the way to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams come into this year's game at the Scottrade Center in downtown St.Louis with 3 losses. Both teams have stubbed their toes against teams that they should beat. Both teams need a win very badly to help themselves later in the year ....when their resumes are studied by the NCAA Selection Committee.
The Illini want to keep the huge Braggin' Rights Trophy in the basketball office in Champaign and complete an amazing 10 year run against Missouri. The Tigers want to take the trophy back to Columbia...... for the first time since Bill Clinton's second term as President.
Should be a fun night in St.Louis on Wednesday night.
See you on the radio!
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