The annual rivalry matchup between the border rivals Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini will be played on Saturday, December 23rd at the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis. The game will be the 37th in the series, known as the “Bud Light Braggin’ Rights Game”.
With the addition of Missouri Coach Cuonzo Martin and a top-ten recruiting class into this year’s matchup, the Tigers-Illini clash should undoubtedly have added spice this year. Martin, a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, has made a concerted effort to find recruiting success in St. Louis, finding immediate success with the addition of freshman center Jeremiah Tilmon (East St. Louis, IL), who previously had given a commitment to the in-state Illini.
Even before the expected addition of Jontay Porter to Mizzou’s roster, the Tigers 2017 recruiting class, led by consensus #1-ranked recruit Michael Porter Jr., is ranked #7 nationally by Rivals.com, bringing a noticeable surge in ticket sales and program interest among Tiger fans.
Illinois will also have a new coach in former Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State Head Coach Brad Underwood, who took the opening in Champaign in April.
Mizzou’s non-conference schedule remains nearly completed with one game date to be added. The Tigers’ announced game dates are : Iowa State (Nov. 10), Wagner (Nov. 13), at Utah (Nov. 16), vs. Long Beach State at AdvoCare Invtiational (Nov. 23), at AdvoCare Invitational (Nov. 24), at AdvoCare Invitational (Nov. 26), at UCF (Nov. 30), Miami-Ohio (Dec. 5), Green Bay (Dec. 9), North Florida (Dec. 16), Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 19) and vs. Illinois (Dec. 23).
