CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Perhaps Illinois’ biggest rivalry game will be taking place next week in the McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game, but what is it?
Previously going by different names, such as Bud Light Braggin’ Rights and Busch Braggin’ Rights, the game is a regular rivalry showdown between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Missouri Tigers. Illinois leads the all-time series 35-20, and has won the last two matchups.
In the early days of the rivalry, from the 1930s to the 1970s, the game was previously played on the campuses of both schools, even being played in Kansas City once, but has been played in St. Louis for the last 21 matchups, with the exception of 2020 due to COVID.
The results of the last five matchups are:
- 2024: Illinois wins 80-77
- 2023: Illinois wins 97-73
- 2022: Missouri wins 93-71
- 2021: Illinois wins 88-63
- 2020: Missouri wins 81-78
This year’s game will be played on Monday, December 22 from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, and will see a pair of in-form teams go at it.
Missouri (10-2) started the season winning eight straight games, but has split its last four and is looking for a momentum-swinging result before it begins conference play in the SEC.
Similarly, 18th-ranked Illinois (8-3) by winning seven of its first nine with big wins over ranked opponents like Texas Tech and Tennessee, but has also suffered losses to ranked teams in Alabama, UConn, and Nebraska. The matchup against the Tigers will be Illinois’ second-to-last non-conference game before entering Big Ten play.
The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 7 p.m.
