The Fighting Illini (8-3) and the Missouri Tigers (5-5) have squared off against each other 43 times heading into today’s bragging rights game down in St. Louis. Missouri comes into today’s game following a blowout loss against the Musketeers of Xavier last Saturday losing 74-58 while the Illini come into today’s game following a unimpressive victory over Hampton University on Wednesday night winning 73-55.
Players to look:
- Tigers sophomore forward Jonathan Williams III is averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He is shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
- Fighting Illini senior guard Rayvonte Rice is leading the way with a team best 17.8 points per game. He is also contributing 6.7 rebounds per game and shooting 50.9 percent from the field. Rice tied his career high in scoring two games ago when he dropped 29 points against Oregon at the United Center in Chicago on December 13.
Projected Starting Lineup:
Illinois
| G | Ahmad Starks |
| G | Aaron Cosby |
| SF | Rayvonte Rice |
| PF | Malcom Hill |
| C | Nnanna Egwu |
Missouri
| G | Keith Shamburger |
| G | Montaqu Gill-Caesar |
| SF | Namon Wright |
| PF | Ryan Rosburg |
| C | Jonathan Williams III |