Dec. 20--Illinois' John Groce called it one of the hardest games to coach.
The annual Braggin' Rights game against Missouri in St. Louis is an adrenaline booster for players -- sometimes to their detriment. Controlling emotion Saturday at the Scottrade Center will be just as important as controlling the ball.
"You've got to have your antennae up," Groce said. "You have to have that balance between being aggressive ... without losing your mind and becoming dysfunctional. That's a delicate balance in games like this."
Neither team is ranked for the first time in four seasons and just the eighth time in the 34-year history of the event. But don't expect that to deter either team -- or the fans who divide the arena -- as Illinois goes for its second straight victory against the Tigers.
The Illini (8-3) could use every nonconference victory possible and can't afford to have too many ugly losses, such as the one to Oregon last week, on their resume that could be regrettable come March.
Missouri (5-5), off to a disappointing start in coach Kim Anderson's first season, could use a victory against Illinois as a momentum builder.
Groce called this an "emotional game," one that requires "relishing the moment and the opportunity to play." But there are other aspects the Illini want to focus on.
Cutting down on the season-high 16 turnovers in Wednesday night's win against Hampton is a priority. So is closing out games, something the Illini struggled to do against Villanova, Oregon and, to a smaller extent, Hampton.
"It's an ability to make winning plays," Groce said. "I don't think we've done that particularly well. Right now for us it's about being consistent."
sryan@tribune.com
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