The Bragging Rights game played in St Louis has Missouri a 5.5 point chalk.
A Look at Missouri:
Missouri 87.9 ppg # 2 in the nation.
Illinois 69.0 ppg # 164
Missouri 52% FG % also # 2 in the nation.
Illinois 44% # 141
Missouri plays a 4 guard line up, a very fast up tempo pace reminds me of the 2004-2005 Illini team. The tigers are also outstanding in creating turnovers ranked # 8 at 10.2 steals a game.
This Missouri team has played the 8th weakest schedule in the nation this year-including a blow out win over California.
The Tigers are 16th in the nation in FTA/FGA (Free throws attempted per Field Goal attempted). This is surprising that the tigers do not allow many free throws given the lack of size. I would guess it is because teams that they are playing a so far behind that they are shooting a lot of threes to catch up.
A LOOK AT ILLINOIS
11-1 record ranked # 25.
This Illinois team has hit a wall the last 4 games. Loaded with a top 15 incoming class these players have hit the freshmen wall, the stress of finals, practice and coming off the bench trying to produce has all added to the bench woes.
Illinois has really struggled to win vs coppin state and St Bonaventure, slow starts, turn overs galore and lack of bench play has killed this young team. The bench scored a total of ZERO points in the last game vs Coppin State. This is going to be a major concern for Coach Weber vs Missouri.
The bright spot for Illinois is down low, a 7-1 stud named Myers Leonard, this kid has all the right tools to be a NBA players someday, while only a sophomore he has more room to grow and learn. Look for Illinois to pound it inside to Leonard 16-20 times in this game.
Coach Weber says that this is not the best time for his Illini to play Missouri, referencing the wall his young team has hit.
HERE IS WHAT I EXPECT TO HAPPEN:
Missouri will use a lot of ball screens to open up a shooter or cutter causing the Illinois guard fits all night long.
Missouri will play zone forcing Illinois to break it down knowing Illinois is shooting only 32% from down town.
Illinois is averaging 13 turnovers a game (vs weak teams) look for Missouri to create at least 20 in this game.
The center of Illinois Leonard will be seeing double all night long in the paint, and this will frustrate the big man.
Foul trouble is a major concern for Illinois, remember the bench is awful in providing scoring (last game 0 BENCH POINTS) this is going to be a major problem when Illinois gets into foul trouble and trust me they will get into foul trouble.
The thieves of Missouri are outstanding in stealing the ball averaging 10 a game and they should get about that many vs a sloppy passing team of Illinois.
This game could get ugly in a hurry for the Illini if somehow Illinois can slow down Missouri, play solid defense, limit turnovers and keep it a game then I see a score of
Missouri 77 Illinois 64
A Look at Missouri:
Missouri 87.9 ppg # 2 in the nation.
Illinois 69.0 ppg # 164
Missouri 52% FG % also # 2 in the nation.
Illinois 44% # 141
Missouri plays a 4 guard line up, a very fast up tempo pace reminds me of the 2004-2005 Illini team. The tigers are also outstanding in creating turnovers ranked # 8 at 10.2 steals a game.
This Missouri team has played the 8th weakest schedule in the nation this year-including a blow out win over California.
The Tigers are 16th in the nation in FTA/FGA (Free throws attempted per Field Goal attempted). This is surprising that the tigers do not allow many free throws given the lack of size. I would guess it is because teams that they are playing a so far behind that they are shooting a lot of threes to catch up.
A LOOK AT ILLINOIS
11-1 record ranked # 25.
This Illinois team has hit a wall the last 4 games. Loaded with a top 15 incoming class these players have hit the freshmen wall, the stress of finals, practice and coming off the bench trying to produce has all added to the bench woes.
Illinois has really struggled to win vs coppin state and St Bonaventure, slow starts, turn overs galore and lack of bench play has killed this young team. The bench scored a total of ZERO points in the last game vs Coppin State. This is going to be a major concern for Coach Weber vs Missouri.
The bright spot for Illinois is down low, a 7-1 stud named Myers Leonard, this kid has all the right tools to be a NBA players someday, while only a sophomore he has more room to grow and learn. Look for Illinois to pound it inside to Leonard 16-20 times in this game.
Coach Weber says that this is not the best time for his Illini to play Missouri, referencing the wall his young team has hit.
HERE IS WHAT I EXPECT TO HAPPEN:
Missouri will use a lot of ball screens to open up a shooter or cutter causing the Illinois guard fits all night long.
Missouri will play zone forcing Illinois to break it down knowing Illinois is shooting only 32% from down town.
Illinois is averaging 13 turnovers a game (vs weak teams) look for Missouri to create at least 20 in this game.
The center of Illinois Leonard will be seeing double all night long in the paint, and this will frustrate the big man.
Foul trouble is a major concern for Illinois, remember the bench is awful in providing scoring (last game 0 BENCH POINTS) this is going to be a major problem when Illinois gets into foul trouble and trust me they will get into foul trouble.
The thieves of Missouri are outstanding in stealing the ball averaging 10 a game and they should get about that many vs a sloppy passing team of Illinois.
This game could get ugly in a hurry for the Illini if somehow Illinois can slow down Missouri, play solid defense, limit turnovers and keep it a game then I see a score of
Missouri 77 Illinois 64
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