Dec. 21, 2004
Illinois Men's Basketball Game Notes vs. Missouri in PDF Format
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FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL
Game #11: #1 Illinois (10-0) vs. Missouri (6-4)
Busch Braggin' Rights Game • 7 p.m. CT •ESPN2
Dec. 22, 2004 • St. Louis, Mo. • Savvis Center (22,000)
Probable Starters
#1 ILLINOIS (10-0)
F - 43 Roger Powell, Jr. (Sr., 6-6, 235, 13.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
F - 40 James Augustine (Jr., 6-10, 230, 9.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 bpg)
G - 4 Luther Head (Sr., 6-3, 185, 15.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.4 apg)
G - 5 Deron Williams (Jr., 6-3, 210, 13.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.9 apg)
G - 11 Dee Brown (Jr., 6-0, 185, 14.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.3 apg)
Off The Bench ...
G - 15 Calvin Brock (Fr., 6-4, 185, plans to redshirt)
G - 33 Rich McBride (So., 6-3, 215, 4.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)
F - 34 Fred Nkemdi (Sr., 6-5, 235, 0.8 ppg, 0.4 rpg)
F - 41 Warren Carter (So., 6-9, 210, 4.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
C - 45 Nick Smith (Sr.-r, 7-2, 250, 3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
C/F - 50 Jack Ingram (Sr.-r, 6-10, 245, 3.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
F - 55 Shaun Pruitt (Fr., 6-8, 245, 1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
Injured
F - 42 Brian Randle (So., 6-7, 210, 1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 2003-04)
Illinois Head Coach: Bruce Weber
Overall Record: 139-61/.695 (7th year)
At Illinois: 36-7/.837 (2nd year)
Big Ten: 13-3/.813
Vs. Missouri all-time: 1-1
Assistant Coaches: Wayne McClain (4th year), Jay Price (2nd year), Tracy Webster (1st year)
Assistant to the head coach: Gary Nottingham (2nd year)
Trainer: Al Martindale (22nd year at Illinois)
Missouri Head Coach: Quin Snyder
Overall Record: 106-67/.613 (6th year)
At Missouri: Same
Vs. Illinois: 1-4
Assistant Coaches: Melvin Watkins, Jeff Meyer, Marcus Perez
On the Air
Television
ESPN2 - National: Brent Musburger, play-by-play; Steve Lavin, expert analyst.
Radio
Illini Sports Network - 47 stations: Brian Barnhart, play-by-play; Stephen Bardo, expert analyst; Loren Tate, pregame/halftime/postgame interviews.
Series Notes: Missouri
Illinois leads the all-time series 22-12, including a 15-8 advanage in Braggin' Rights games at St. Louis. Illinois carries a four-game winning streak over Missouri into Wednesday night's showdown. The Illini posted an 86-81 overtime victory in 2000, a 72-61 win in 2001, an 85-70 win in 2002, and a 71-70 win last season.
Hot Start
Illinois is one of only 14 teams in the country to boast a perfect record. Illinois' 10-0 record ties the seventh best start in the 100-year history of Fighting Illini basketball and is the Illini's best start since opening at 11-0 during the 1989-90 campaign.
Braggin' Rights Notes
Illinois owns a 15-8 advantage over Missouri in Braggin' Rights games played in St. Louis ... Illinois won eight consecutive games from 1983-90 and won nine of the first 10 games played in St. Louis ... After Missouri won seven of nine games from 1991-99, Illinois has won the last four games in the series (2000-03) ...This is the seventh time that Illinois enters the Braggin' Rights game with an undefeated record. Illinois has won five of the previous six games when entering in the Braggin' Rights game undefeated (wins in 1980, 1988, 1989, 1995 and 2002 and lone loss in 1981) ...This is the 15th time that Illinois has been ranked entering the Braggin' Rights game, and the seventh time the Illini have been ranked in the Top 10. Illinois is 11-3 when ranked in the Braggin' Rights game ...When the Braggin' Rights series began in St. Louis, Illinois' Lou Henson and Missouri's Norm Stewart were in charge of their respective programs. Since then, every first-year coach has won his inaugural Braggin' Rights game. In 1996, Lon Kruger's first year at Illinois, the Illini won 85-69. In 1999, Quin Snyder's first year at Missouri, the Tigers won 78-72. In 2000, Bill Self's first year at Illinois, the Illini won 86-81 in overtime. And last season, in Bruce Weber's first year with the Illini, the UI won 71-70.
Past Braggin' Rights Games in St. Louis
Dec. 10, 1980 Illinois 84, #14 Missouri 62
Dec. 8, 1981 #13 Missouri 78, Illinois 68 (OT)
Dec. 28, 1983 #20 Illinois 66, Missouri 60
Dec. 6, 1984 #7 Illinois 65, Missouri 50
Dec. 21, 1985 #15 Illinois 67, Missouri 55
Dec. 23, 1986 #9 Illinois 92, Missouri 74
Dec. 22, 1987 Illinois 75, #17 Missouri 63
Dec. 19, 1988 #5 Illinois 87, #10 Missouri 84
Dec. 20, 1989 #5 Illinois 101, #4 Missouri 93
Dec. 19, 1990 Illinois 84, Missouri 81
Dec. 23, 1991 #16 Missouri 61, Illinois 44
Dec. 23, 1992 Missouri 66, Illinois 65
Dec. 22, 1993 Missouri 108, #19 Illinois 107 (3OT)
Dec. 22, 1994 Missouri 76, #23 Illinois 58
Dec. 20, 1995 #14 Illinois 96, #15 Missouri 85 (OT)
Dec. 28, 1996 Illinois 85, Missouri 69
Dec. 23, 1997 Missouri 75, Illinois 69
Dec. 22, 1998 #15 Missouri 67, Illinois 62
Dec. 21, 1999 Missouri 78, #15 Illinois 72
Dec. 21, 2000 #5 Illinois 86, Missouri 81 (OT)
Dec. 22, 2001 #9 Illinois 72, #8 Missouri 61
Dec. 21, 2002 #12 Illinois 85, #11 Missouri 70
Dec. 23, 2003 #21 Illinois 71, #11 Missouri 70
Braggin' Rights Game Breakdown
Series Record: Illinois leads 15-8
Current Streak: Illinois, W-4
Illinois when ranked: 11-3
Missouri when ranked: 3-8
When both teams are ranked: Illinois leads 6-0
When neither team is ranked: Tied 2-2
In overtime games: Tied 2-2
At The Arena: Illinois led 9-4
At Savvis Center: Illinois leads 6-4
Illinois' longest winning streak: 8 (1983-90)
Missouri's longest winning streak: 4 (1991-94)
Illinois' largest winning margin: 22 points (1980)
Missouri's largest winning margin: 18 points (1994)
Closest margin: 1 point, 3 times (1992, 1993, 2003)
Recapping Illini Wins in the Braggin' Rights Series
• 1980 - Illinois 84, #14 Missouri 62
Illinois posted its largest victory of the Braggin' Rights series - 22 points - in the first year of the now annual event in St. Louis. Eddie Johnson and Craig Tucker led the way with 20 points apiece as the Illini defeated the 14th-ranked Tigers. Illinois led by five at halftime, but outscored Mizzou 43-26 in the second half.
• 1983 - #20 Illinois 66, Missouri 60
No. 20 Illinois shot nearly 56 percent for the game to reclaim the trophy from Missouri with a 66-60 victory. Efrem Winters tallied 20 points and eight rebounds while George Montgomery added 15 points, nine boards and five assists. Illinois led 60-58 with 19 seconds left when Bruce Douglas made a pair of free throws for a four-point lead. Doug Altenberger then drew a charge with :12 remaining to give the Illini the ball back and seal the victory. This began a string of eight consecutive Braggin' Rights wins for the Illini.
• 1984 - #7 Illinois 65, Missouri 50
7th-ranked Illinois jumped out early and never looked back in securing a 15-point victory. The Illini led 38-19 at halftime. Four Illini scored in double figures with Anthony Welch and Bruce Douglas scoring 12 points each and George Montgomery and Doug Altenberger adding 10 apiece.
• 1985 - #15 Illinois 67, Missouri 55
Ken "Snake" Norman notched the first Illini double-double of the Braggin' Rights series with 22 points and 10 rebounds as No. 15 Illinois won its third in a row over Missouri. Norman made 8-of-10 field goals and added six free throws en route to his 22 points while Anthony Welch contributed 16 points and eight rebounds.
• 1986 - #9 Illinois 92, Missouri 74
The ninth-ranked Illini recorded its fourth win in row over Missouri, 92-74. The 18-point margin stands as the second largest margin of victory for the Illini in the Braggin' Rights series. Ken Norman had another double-double with 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Tony Wysinger also came up big with 18 points and seven assists. Illinois scored the final eight points of the first half to take a 41-30 lead into halftime and never looked back.
• 1987 - Illinois 75, #17 Missouri 63
The Illini shot 50 percent from the game, scoring 31 baskets - all 2-pointers - and outrebounded Missouri 46-33 to post its fifth straight win in the series over the 17th-ranked Tigers. Nick Anderson came off the bench to record a double-double with game-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds while running-mate Kenny Battle chipped in 15 points and eight boards. Kendall Gill put an exclamation point on the win with a thunderous dunk in traffic with 2:49 left.
• 1988 - #5 Illinois 87, #10 Missouri 84
No. 5 Illinois extended the Braggin' Rights streak to six in a row with a furious come-from-behind win over No. 10 Missouri. The "Flyin' Illini" found themselves down by 18 points late in the first half. They then stormed back, and a 3-pointer by Marcus Liberty gave Illinois its first lead of the game at 54-52 with 11:15 remaining. The Illini took a four-point lead on a 3-point play by Kenny Battle with 2:25 remaining. But Mizzou then took an 84-83 lead on a dunk by Doug Smith with one minute to go. Kenny Battle made two crucial free throws with 26 seconds left to give Illinois an 85-84 lead. Mizzou turned it over on its next possession and Larry Smith's lay-up with four seconds left wrapped up the win. Battle scored 19 of his game-high 28 points in the second half, while Lowell Hamilton added 21 points for the Illini.
• 1989 - #5 Illinois 101, #4 Missouri 93
The 1989 game featured both teams ranked in the Top-5 nationally, with the fifth-ranked Illini defeating No. 4 Missouri 101-93, marking Illinois' seventh win in a row over the Tigers. The Illini shot 53 percent from the field and had five players net double figures, led by 26 points from Marcus Liberty on 8-of-12 shooting. Kendall Gill scored 25 points and Andy Kaufmann added 16. Guard Stephen Bardo recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Illini also got a big lift from center Ervin Small, who came off the bench to score 13 points and record six steals.
• 1990 - Illinois 84, Missouri 81
The 1990 Braggin' Rights game became a shootout between Illinois' Andy Kaufmann and Missouri's Doug Smith. And Kaufmann got the upper hand in leading Illinois' "Young Guns" to its eighth straight win in the series, 84-81. Kaufmann scored a series-record 33 points for the Illini, making 11-of-23 shots. Twenty-one of his 33 points came from behind the arc, as Kaufmann nailed 7-of-14 three-pointers. While Kaufmann was the Illini star, Deon Thomas was just as important, scoring 23 points with eight rebounds and four blocks. The game was back-and-forth throughout the second half. Illinois went ahead 79-73 on a Larry Smith breakaway with 2:28 left. Missouri cut it to two with under 30 seconds to play on a 3-pointer, but Tom Michael made one free throw with :15 left to make it a 3-point game. Missouri missed a pair of potential game-tying 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds.
• 1995 - #14 Illinois 96, #15 Missouri 85 (OT)
No. 14 Illinois improved to 8-0 on the season, defeating No. 15 Missouri in overtime in Lou Henson's final Braggin' Rights game. The UI win snapped a four-year Missouri winning streak. Six of the nine Illini players who entered the game scored in double figures, led by Kiwane Garris' 23 points. Garris shot just 4-of-17 from the field, but connected on 15-of-16 free throws. The Illini were up by as many as 10 in the second half before Missouri came back. The game was tied at 75-all when MU's Corey Tate missed a pair of free throws with :37 left. Garris then had his potential game-winning layup blocked by Julian Winfield, forcing OT. Jerry Hester became the Illini spark, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and putting the finishing touches on the win with a dunk at the end as Illinois outscored Mizzou 21-10 in the overtime period.
• 1996 - Illinois 85, Missouri 69
Defense was the difference as Illinois rolled to an 85-69 win in Lon Kruger's first Braggin' Rights game. The Illini used an aggressive, fullcourt press to grab 12 steals and help force Missouri into 27 turnovers on the night. Kiwane Garris was one of four Illini in double figures, scoring 15 to go along with 14 points apiece from Chris Gandy and Bryant Notree.
• 2000 - #5 Illinois 86, Missouri 81 (OT)
5th-ranked Illinois ended its three-year losing streak to Missouri by defeating Tigers 86-81 in overtime in Bill Self's first Braggin' Rights game. Brian Cook scored a game-high 25 points, 23 of which came in the first half, and was one of four Illini to finish in double figures. Frank Williams scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and overtime. Williams twice tied the game in the final 1:30 on consecutive baskets, forcing overtime. His 3-point play with two minutes left in overtime gave the Illini a seven-point advantage and secured the win.
• 2001 - #9 Illinois 72, #8 Missouri 61
Anticipation for the 2001 Braggin' Rights game was at an all-time high, with both teams ranked in the Top-10 nationally. Illinois shot 50 percent for the game and held Mizzou to just 36 percent shooting, including 26 percent from 3-point range. Frank Williams scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, which included a stretch of four straight field goals, to lead the Illini to victory. Illinois made 8-of-10 free throws in the final 1:08 to secure the win.
• 2002 - #12 Illinois 85, #11 Missouri 70
In the most recent Braggin' Rights meeting of undefeated teams, No. 12 Illini remained unbeaten on the year with an 85-70 win over No. 11 Missouri, making it three in a row over the Tigers. Dee Brown scored a game-high 21 points and had seven assists, while Brian Cook added 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists. The Illini shot 45 percent, held Missouri to 37.7 percent shooting, and outrebounded the Tigers 42-32.
• 2003 - #21 Illinois 71, #11 Missouri 70
Bruce Weber became the third straight Illini coach to win his inaugural Braggin' Rights game, leading the Illini to its fourth consecutive win in the series. Dee Brown scored 18 points and had six assists and six rebounds, while James Augustine added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Illinois never trailed in the game after a red-hot start. The Illini led by as many as 21 points in the first half and led by 14 at halftime. But Missouri chipped away at that lead in the second half, tying it at 67-all with 1:30 remaining on a three-pointer by Travon Bryant. Nick Smith then fed Augustine for a go-ahead lay-up with :57 left. On the ensuing possession, Smith stole a pass intended for Arthur Johnson to give the Illini the ball back. After missing two free throws, Dee Brown got his own offensive rebound and this time made a pair of free throws with :18 left to make it a four-point game. A 3-pointer by Missouri's Jimmy McKinney with four-tenths of a second left made the final margin one point.
Top Illini Performers in the Braggin' Rights Series
Eddie Johnson - Scored game-high 20 points and hadseven rebounds in his lone Braggin' Rights game in 1980, an Illini victory.
Craig Tucker - Totaled 43 points (21.5 avg.) in two Braggin' Rights games, with game-high 20 points in 1980 game and team-high 23 points in 1981 game.
Efrem Winters - Had game-high 20 points and eight rebounds in 1983 game, and nine points and game-high nine boards in 1984 game. Averaged 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in three Braggin' Rights games, all Illini victories.
George Montgomery - Had 15 points and game-high nine rebounds in 1983 game and 10 points and five rebounds in 1984 game. Averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in his two Braggin' Rights appearances, both UI wins.
Anthony Welch - Tallied 12 points and game-high nine rebounds in 1984 game, and had 16 points and eight rebounds in 1985 game. Averaged 14 points and 8.5 rebounds in two Braggin' Rights wins.
Ken Norman - Had back-to-back double-doubles with game-highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds in 1985 game, and team-high 24 points with game-high 12 rebounds in 1986 game. His 8-of-10 shooting in the '85 game is the best field goal percentage (.800) by an Illini player in the series, and his 12 boards in the '86 game are tied for most rebounds by a UI player in the series. Averaged 16 points and 7.3 rebounds in three Braggin' Rights games, all UI wins.
Kenny Battle - Had 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 1987 game and game-high 28 points with six rebounds and game-high four steals in 1988 game. Averaged 21.5 points, seven rebounds and three steals in two Braggin' Rights wins.
Nick Anderson - Had double-double with game-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 1987 game, and had eight points and game-high 10 rebounds in 1988 game. Averaged 13 points and 10.5 rebounds in two Braggin' Rights wins.
Lowell Hamilton - Totaled 40 points (10.0 avg.) in four Braggin' Rights games from 1985-88, all Illini wins. Scored 21 points in 1988 game.
Andy Kaufmann - Scored 68 points in three Braggin' Rights games. Average of 22.7 ppg is the best by an Illini player in the series. Scored 16 points in 1989 game. Had game-high 33 points in 1990 game, highest point total by UI player in the series. Made 11-of-23 field goals, including 7-of-14 three-pointers in '90, all highest totals by UI player. Also had eight rebounds, game-high seven assists and two steals to go along with his 33 points in 1990 game, which is arguably the finest performance by an Illini player in the Braggin' Rights series. Had game-high 19 points in 1992 game.
Kendall Gill - Scored in double figures in three of four Braggin' Rights games, all UI wins, with 10 points in 1987 game, 11 points in 1988 game and 25 points in 1989 game. Totaled 54 points in four games, an average of 13.5 ppg.
Marcus Liberty- Totaled 35 points in two games (17.5 average), both Illini wins. Had nine points off the bench in 1988 and scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting with nine rebounds in 1989 game.
Deon Thomas - Illinois' all-time leading rebounder in the Braggin' Rights series with 37 rebounds. Averaged 17.8 points (71 total) and 9.3 rebounds per game for the series, scoring in double figures all four years. Had 23 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in 1990 game, double-double of 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in 1991 game, another double-double with 17 points and game-high 11 rebounds in 1992 game, and 19 points and eight rebounds in 1993 game.
Shelly Clark - Averaged 16 points and 8.5 rebounds in a pair of Braggin' Rights games. Had a double-double with 17 points and game-high 10 rebounds in 1993 and had 15 points and seven boards in 1994.
Kiwane Garris - Illinois' all-time leading scorer in the Braggin' Rights series with 79 points. Averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in four games. Scored game-high 31 points with seven rebounds and six assists in 1993. Had 23 points with eight rebounds and eight assists in 1995, and had 15 points with nine assists in 1996. His nine assists in '96 are the most by a UI player in the series.
Richard Keene - Totaled 52 points in four Braggin' Rights games, an average of 13 ppg. Scored in double figures in three of four games. Best game came as a senior in 1995 when he had 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Kevin Turner - Totaled 36 points in three Braggin' Rights games, scoring in double figures in two of three games. Had 12 points in 1995 game, and had 17 points and six rebounds in 1997 game. Illini won two of the three games he played in.
Cory Bradford - Scored 51 points in four Braggin' Rights games, averaging 12.8 ppg. Had a game-high 17 points in 1998 game, and led the Illini with 19 points in 1999 game.
Marcus Griffin - Scored in double figures in both Braggin' Rights games he participated in, with 14 points in 1999 and a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in 2000. Averaged 12 points and 7.0 rebounds in the series.
Frank Williams - Scored 51 points in three Braggin' Rights games, an average of 17.0 points. Reached double figures all three years, with 11 points in 1999, 18 points and game-high five assists in 2000, and game-high 22 points with four assists and three steals in 2001. Illini won two of the three games he played in.
Brian Cook - Averaged 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in the Braggin' Rights series. Had a double-double with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds in 2000, 12 points with eight rebounds in 2001, and 17 points with a game-high nine rebounds in 2002. Three of the four games he played in were Illini wins.
Dee Brown - Has scored 39 points (19.5 average) in two Braggin' Rights games, both Illini victories. Scored a game-high 21 points with seven assists in 2002, and had 18 points with six assists and six rebounds in 2003. Averaging 6.5 assists in series.
*For complete set of Illinois Men's Basketball Game Notes vs. Missouri, click on .pdf link at the top of this page.
