Brag drought: Missouri gives Anderson a crack at Illinois

~ The Tigers have lost six straight games in the neighbors' rivalry.

ST. LOUIS -- In recent years, Illinois has owned the annual Braggin' Rights game, beating Missouri six straight times and winning last year by more than 30 points.

But Illinois coach Bruce Weber said none of that matters heading into Tuesday night's game. He said Missouri's end-to-end style of play under new coach Mike Anderson makes the Tigers dangerous.

"He brought his system to Missouri and he's got his kids playing very, very hard," Weber said. "They're playing their system, and obviously it's a different style -- it's a little bit chaotic.

"But he believes in it, and they've had success."

The Tigers (9-1) have the school's best start in five seasons. But they're coming off their first loss, 79-62 at Purdue on Dec. 9. That game was tied at halftime but Missouri shot only 29 percent in the second half.

Last year's 'Braggin' Rights' game was over almost before the half, when Illinois (10-2) led by 17 points at the break against a team struggling in its final season under Quin Snyder.

"We're trying not to think about that too much," said forward Matt Lawrence, who was scoreless in 12 minutes last year. "It kind of sticks with you a little bit. But it's a new era right now."

Weber was impressed that even in defeat the Tigers forced 21 turnovers against Purdue. Missouri forces an average of 21.8 turnovers per game, and to prepare for the pressure Illinois has practiced against six and sometimes seven players.

"And even then you can't really simulate," Weber said. "Their kids know the angles, they know the traps and they're going fast."

Missouri's defense could be in store for its hardest test of the season, facing Illinois' balanced attack. Warren Carter averages 14 points and Shaun Pruitt (11.7), Jamar Smith (10.7) and Rich McBride (10.4) also average in double figures.

Unlike Missouri, there will be no rust factor for Illinois to contend with. The Illini tuned up for Missouri by beating Belmont 77-51 on Sunday behind Carter's 21-point effort.

But Illinois committed 22 turnovers in that game. That sore spot was balanced out by 55 percent shooting, a 42-23 rebounding advantage and 37 percent shooting by the losers.

Anderson is aware of Illinois' balance. He's concerned more with what his own team does.

"I think you've got to be familiar with the team you're going to play, but I'm more interested in what we do," he said. "Hopefully, we're doing some things that will not let other teams do what they want to do."

This is the first game since 1997 in the series in which neither team is ranked.

Noteworthy

• Since the series began in 1980, all four first-year coaches have been victorious, including Illinois' Lon Kruger (1996), Bill Self (2000) and Weber (2003), and Missouri's Snyder (1999).
• Missouri also was 9-1 in 2002-03.
• Before Illinois' six-game winning streak in the series, Missouri had won three in a row.
• Missouri is averaging 17.9 assists, not far below the school record of 19 per game in 1988-89.
• Missouri is shooting 42 percent from 3-point range.