Illinois and Missouri will face off in the annual bragging rights game on Monday, Dec. 22. The first meeting between the two programs took place on December 21, 1932, when Illinois defeated Missouri 36-24 at Brewer Arena. The Illini won the first four games and currently lead the all-time series 35-20.
The game moved exclusively to St. Louis in 1980 and has been played there every season since, with the exception of Missouri winning the opportunity to host the game at its home court via a coin toss during the 2020 COVID-19 season.
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In 1994, with the closure of St. Louis Arena, the series moved to the Enterprise Center (formerly known as the Keele Center, Savvis Center and Scott Center). The first 14 games of the STL tournament are played inside the St. Louis Arena (also known as the Checkerdome).
The 2025 showdown inside the Enterprise Center will mark the 56th meeting between the two programs. Illinois enters the game on a two-game winning streak against Missouri and has won three of its past four games.
Last year’s game was the first close game in the series since 2020, with Illinois beating Missouri 80-77. Kasparas Jakucionis hit a turnaround jumper with 28 seconds left to give the Illini a two-point lead. He led all scorers with 21 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
Missouri is 10-2 on the season and will be looking for its second major win of the year. Illinois enters 8-3 and will likely be the favorite in this high-scoring game on Monday night. The Illini are the better team on paper and are currently an eight-point favorite according to KenPom.
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It was announced in 2023 that the “bragging rights” competition contract would be extended until 2029. This is always one of the best games on the schedule each year and hopefully we never see this great St. Louis tradition go away.
