I love the smell of directional humor in the morning
Braggin' Rights game (Dec. 22nd)
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Let's take over the Mizzou sections then
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I have only been two years, but the Illini turnout has always been fantastic, especially when you consider that (I imagine) a significantly larger portion of our crowd at the event is traveling from outside of the St. Louis Metro than Mizzou's.
As a reminder for everyone, the capacity for basketball is 22,000 - so 11,000 for Illinois and 11,000 for Missouri. These were the two attendance figures for the last two years that I have attended:
2022-23: 18,452 (84% full)
2021-22: 14,953 (68% full)
Just from eyeballing it, the Illini side was about 90% full both years. In 2021, the Mizzou side was no more than 35% full, and in 2022 it looked a bit more like 80%. So, back of the napkin guess is:
2022-23: 54% Illini fans, 46% Mizzou fans
2021-22: 66% Illini fans, 34% Mizzou fans
Obviously this does not take into account no-shows. Also, both years there have been VERY few Mizzou fans on the Illini side but a significant number of Illini fans on the Mizzou side. Props to our fan base!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
As I said in my previous post, I have only been in-person twice. However, it seems like the Illini attendance is ridiculously stable, while the Mizzou attendance fluctuates wildly. In 2021, they were terrible (Martin's last year), and it was during their bowl game ... so their side was very empty. However, last year they showed up pretty well. I'm biased, but I think even in the years where it is closer to 50/50, there are always more orange shirts on the Mizzou side than vice-versa!
Truly a special event. While there are some parallels in football (Georgia/Florida in Jacksonville and Texas/Oklahoma in Dallas), there is nothing to my knowledge that is like this in college hoops.
Think around these areas for Illinois sections
104-106
113-115
304-320
Bunch of ticket places by tickets for this game. My guess is a upper level $50-60 ticket on Missouri side probably sells $80-90 on Illinois side.
That is likely why my wife bought lower section tickets on the Missouri side without knowing there are sides because they are cheaper.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
When you go to buy tickets right now, only the seats that are colored in (pink or blue) are available ... so it should be a great crowd. I believe that the right side of the arena is our side, and the left side is Mizzou's. So, as of today, it looks like we have sold more of our side, but both sides will be very full!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Also, interesting trend in attendance in this game over the years. As far as I can tell, the capacity for basketball has more or less hovered around "almost 22,000" since the 1999-2000 season (I got bored and stopped looking before that, lol). So, I put any crowd above 20k in orange (as I think that would make the arena look quite full at a bit over 90%) and any crowd above 21.5k in orange and bold font as a theoretical "sellout." I am also just putting the year the game was being played, so for example our 2005 Illini played in the 2004 game:
1999: 22,484
2000: 22,089
2001: 22,153
2002: 22,153
2003: 22,153
2004: 22,153
2005: 22,153
2006: 22,153 (first time on this list that neither team was ranked)
2007: 21,941
2008: 19,586
2009: 20,497
2010: 21,906 (first time both teams were ranked since 2003)
2011: 22,087
2012: 21,933
2013: 21,987
2014: 20,079
2015: 14,456 (Mizzou went 9-23 the previous year...)
2016: 12,409 (Mizzou went 10-21 the previous year...)
2017: 21,289 (first season for BOTH Cuonzo Martin and Underwood creates some serious hype, including the decommits)
2018: 16,397
2019: 15,259 (Mizzou went 15-17 the previous year...)
2020: N/A (COVID, obviously)
2021: 14,953 (Cuonzo's final season, coming off of a 15-16 record the previous year)
2022: 18,452
When you look into those numbers, it seems obvious that Illini fans are always showing up, and the overall attendance drops when Mizzou sucks and their fans bail.
As I said, I can provide anecdotal evidence that Illinois' side was nearly full in 2021, and yet the total attendance isn't even 15k ... which means Mizzou had about 5k fans out of their 10.5k seats, which is actually generous from what I saw!
It would be fun to actually take over the arena one year!
1999: 22,484
2000: 22,089
2001: 22,153
2002: 22,153
2003: 22,153
2004: 22,153
2005: 22,153
2006: 22,153 (first time on this list that neither team was ranked)
2007: 21,941
2008: 19,586
2009: 20,497
2010: 21,906 (first time both teams were ranked since 2003)
2011: 22,087
2012: 21,933
2013: 21,987
2014: 20,079
2015: 14,456 (Mizzou went 9-23 the previous year...)
2016: 12,409 (Mizzou went 10-21 the previous year...)
2017: 21,289 (first season for BOTH Cuonzo Martin and Underwood creates some serious hype, including the decommits)
2018: 16,397
2019: 15,259 (Mizzou went 15-17 the previous year...)
2020: N/A (COVID, obviously)
2021: 14,953 (Cuonzo's final season, coming off of a 15-16 record the previous year)
2022: 18,452
When you look into those numbers, it seems obvious that Illini fans are always showing up, and the overall attendance drops when Mizzou sucks and their fans bail.
As I said, I can provide anecdotal evidence that Illinois' side was nearly full in 2021, and yet the total attendance isn't even 15k ... which means Mizzou had about 5k fans out of their 10.5k seats, which is actually generous from what I saw!It would be fun to actually take over the arena one year!
It was quite the event when Lou was battling with Stormin' Norman.Also, interesting trend in attendance in this game over the years. As far as I can tell, the capacity for basketball has more or less hovered around "almost 22,000" since the 1999-2000 season (I got bored and stopped looking before that, lol). So, I put any crowd above 20k in orange (as I think that would make the arena look quite full at a bit over 90%) and any crowd above 21.5k in orange and bold font as a theoretical "sellout." I am also just putting the year the game was being played, so for example our 2005 Illini played in the 2004 game:
1999: 22,484
2000: 22,089
2001: 22,153
2002: 22,153
2003: 22,153
2004: 22,153
2005: 22,153
2006: 22,153 (first time on this list that neither team was ranked)
2007: 21,941
2008: 19,586
2009: 20,497
2010: 21,906 (first time both teams were ranked since 2003)
2011: 22,087
2012: 21,933
2013: 21,987
2014: 20,079
2015: 14,456 (Mizzou went 9-23 the previous year...)
2016: 12,409 (Mizzou went 10-21 the previous year...)
2017: 21,289 (first season for BOTH Cuonzo Martin and Underwood creates some serious hype, including the decommits)
2018: 16,397
2019: 15,259 (Mizzou went 15-17 the previous year...)
2020: N/A (COVID, obviously)
2021: 14,953 (Cuonzo's final season, coming off of a 15-16 record the previous year)
2022: 18,452
When you look into those numbers, it seems obvious that Illini fans are always showing up, and the overall attendance drops when Mizzou sucks and their fans bail.
It would be fun to actually take over the arena one year!
Then there was Self's B10 championship team in 2001 when we were ranked #9 and beat #8 ranked Mizzeri 72-61. At halftime, as Chief Illiniwek (Matt Veronie) was performing, he was tackled by a mouth breather from Columbia (Scott Kiehl). Kiehl was arrested and charged with assault. He also caught a few licks from Illini fans before security got to him.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Also I am crazy or has Mizzou changed its colors like at least three times in the last 25 years? Lol.
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Each photo pukier than the last, lol.
Each photo pukier than the last, lol.
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pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Mizzou men's basketball picks up 2025 commitment from in-state recruit
Aaron Rowe, a point guard at Father Tolton in Columbia, committed Tuesday afternoon.
Aaron Rowe, a point guard who attends Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, verbally committed to Mizzou on Tuesday.
He's considered a four-star recruit and ranked as the fourth-best point guard and No. 20 overall prospect nationally by 247Sports.com and No. 25 nationally by Rivals.com.
We can’t really talk.Also I am crazy or has Mizzou changed its colors like at least three times in the last 25 years? Lol.
Each photo pukier than the last, lol.
Attachments
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uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Where is the Thumbs Down option?Mizzou men's basketball picks up 2025 commitment from in-state recruit
Aaron Rowe, a point guard at Father Tolton in Columbia, committed Tuesday afternoon.www.stltoday.com
Aaron Rowe, a point guard who attends Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, verbally committed to Mizzou on Tuesday.
He's considered a four-star recruit and ranked as the fourth-best point guard and No. 20 overall prospect nationally by 247Sports.com and No. 25 nationally by Rivals.com.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
Mizzou men's basketball picks up 2025 commitment from in-state recruit
Aaron Rowe, a point guard at Father Tolton in Columbia, committed Tuesday afternoon.
Aaron Rowe, a point guard who attends Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, verbally committed to Mizzou on Tuesday.
He's considered a four-star recruit and ranked as the fourth-best point guard and No. 20 overall prospect nationally by 247Sports.com and No. 25 nationally by Rivals.com.
RichardKeenesCousin
Richard Keene's Cousin
I can see myself in the second pic!As I said in my previous post, I have only been in-person twice. However, it seems like the Illini attendance is ridiculously stable, while the Mizzou attendance fluctuates wildly. In 2021, they were terrible (Martin's last year), and it was during their bowl game ... so their side was very empty. However, last year they showed up pretty well. I'm biased, but I think even in the years where it is closer to 50/50, there are always more orange shirts on the Mizzou side than vice-versa!
Truly a special event. While there are some parallels in football (Georgia/Florida in Jacksonville and Texas/Oklahoma in Dallas), there is nothing to my knowledge that is like this in college hoops.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
Maybe I'm just being a picky older fan, but, seriously.....McBride Homes Braggin Rights? McBride outbid AHB?
Why can't we go back to Busch Braggin Rights?
I know, I know, nit picky, but hey, I need SOMETHING to complain about today.
Why can't we go back to Busch Braggin Rights?
I know, I know, nit picky, but hey, I need SOMETHING to complain about today.
And bring back The Checkerdome while we’re at it!
From a press release by McBride homes:
"The multi-year relationship with McBride Homes for Braggin’ Rights was secured and extended through 2026 by the local teams for LEARFIELD, athletics multimedia rightsholder for both universities. Champaign-based Fighting Illini Sports Properties and Columbia-based Mizzou Sports Properties represent the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri respectively."
This event has also had poor TV coverage for quite a while. Is Learfield's involvement part of the reason for the weak sponsorship as well?
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I always assumed that was some combination of (A) the matchup becoming less enticing for a while, (B) the rise of BTN/SECN and (C) the conferences "self-sorting" toward exclusive network deals. However, I know have another interesting theory that I would have to research, and it is twofold:
1. Are there more bowls than there used to be? All college basketball until the CFP is over has to compete with a superior college football product for a TV spot.
2. On a related note, did ESPN at some point become like an even more exclusive channel for bowl games?? It seems like all of the spots we used to have on ESPN or ESPN2 are always full of bowl games now.
I'm kind of surprised FS1 or even FOX literally never pick up this game. It's an INCREDIBLY unique rivalry game for college hoops, both teams have relatively large fan bases, FOX rarely has anything else to broadcast in that window and the college basketball world is generally "winding down" around when we play Braggin' Rights - i.e., it could have a relatively exclusive spot.
MustangWally
- Mayfield
There are a lot more bowl games that before. A while back (~5 years?) the NCAA chose not to fight the sponsors trying to add more bowl games for fear of losing the legal battle. Now there are so many bowl games that there are never enough teams with 6 wins to fill them. The 5-7 teams with the top APR (academic scores) fill those slots. The churn on the lower tier bowl games is pretty high. They seem to lose money pretty frequently. The participating teams do not get much more than travel expenses and "the experience" which often overlaps with final exams.
I'd like to see bowls be rewards for good teams: 9+ wins total, 8+ wins against top 100 competition, or no bowl game for you.
(Insert additional rule for non-power conference teams)
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