Pregame: Illinois vs Missouri, Friday, December 22nd, 8:00pm CT, FS1
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How do today’s Times tie ‘rivalries’ and schools and young people together?
There is just a different mentality in general (in many things) for young people today. Most of us well know that.
The first reason why rivalries may not be the same thing they once were (in some places) is the fact that young people ARE different from previous generations. Previous generations were very-much ‘school’ and tradition oriented... ‘Be True To Your School’ Beach-Boys-kind-of-thing). Look at some of the words of that song...
“When some loud braggart tries to put me down and says his school is great I tell him right away – Now what's the matter buddy ain't you heard of my school”
(How many young people really feel that way about their school these days? Sure, there is still some legacy sports rivalries still around but not to the level they used to be. And young people are now more tied to the Net which has no borders and way less ties to locality.)
“So be true to your school”
(With NIL?! Really? And what reasons exist today for the regular student to feel ‘true’ to a local school? NOT talking about the Illini here... just society in general).
“I got a letterman's sweater... When I cruise around the other parts of the town I got my decal in back”
(When did we see this kind of thing last? When the Beach Boys stopped having hits? Decals once were a big thing. Now they are antique collector items. And letterman's sweaters -- would most young people want to be seen in one?)
This is not about making a value judgment about various eras or longing for some Good Old Days. We had a certain kind of era years ago and we have a different one now. And young people still have a small window to live as young people so they need to appreciate it.
But the diminished lack of loyalty to a school – and the resulting lack of passion about certain ‘rivalries’ – is to my mind directly related to each other. And we have in fact lost something special when the passion for the local school and your rival has become so diminished.
Young people are ‘World Citizens’ now. Everyone of all ages are today. And there’s no letterman sweater for that.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
(Last year was my second Braggin’ Rights Game.)Did we win the cheerleader competition last year? We lose almost every year. I want to see a "W" in that too!
Actually, neither team brought their bands OR cheerleaders due to the winter storm. We were worried that it would affect general attendance, as well, and really dilute the atmosphere. After my first game (2021-22) being a blowout with Mizzou’s side about 30% full, I was bummed.
However, we were pleasantly ecstatic when we walked in and saw that both fan bases had braved the weather and nearly packed the place! That was a nice surprise … and then the game started, lol. We can’t go this year, but I REALLY look forward to the day I make it to Braggin’ Rights with a full crowd, plus the band and cheerleaders.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Gordo: Illinois gets older, better heading into Braggin' Rights showdown with Missouri
Illinois coach Brad Underwood set out to create a more experienced team this season. So the Illini will feature a different look during this year's Braggin' Rights game against Missouri.
Tophe
- Middle TN
Robert's article from 2 years ago
Preparation
If you've never been to Braggin' Rights, there are two contests: the basketball game and the Liberty Pose contest. During a first-half timeout, it's the Illinois cheerleaders vs. the Missouri cheerleaders in a
I went in 1988-9. Old checkerdome, sold out, both bands there, students from both schools there.
The Flying Illini pressed full court and came back from 16 point deficit to win. That was first time we know that team would be special.
www.news-gazette.com
The Flying Illini pressed full court and came back from 16 point deficit to win. That was first time we know that team would be special.
Memory Lane: 1988 Braggin' Rights
EACH WEEK, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN ILLINI HISTORY, THANKS TO THE WORDS OF LOREN TATE AND THE MEMORIES OF JIM TURPIN.This week: A look
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Just checked Vivid Seats and it looks like either a bunch of tickets have been posted for sale since I last checked, or the prices have just come down. Thinking since this is my first year living in the metro east I might treat myself and go. I'm sure this has been asked already but which is the Illinois side?
I just don't see them hanging with us. Zone, no zone. Press, no press. If the guys are focused, we blow them out.
Illini: 80
Miznoz: 60
Illini: 80
Miznoz: 60
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I encourage you to go - truly nothing like it!! I’ll defer to a season ticket holder for the exact sections, but I’m positive the Illinois side is always on this side:
- If you are facing the benches, Illini fans are on the RIGHT.
- If you are facing away from the benches, Illini fans are on the LEFT.
So, if you want to be safe avoid the exact middle three sections!
I feel travel sports has a lot to do with this. My daughter graduated high school in 2020. I followed her around watching her play club & school volleyball for 8 years and softball for 5 years too. She played on multiple travel teams over the years with girls from surrounding towns in Southern Illinois/SW Indiana. Teams that were "rivals" back when I played. When she played them, there just wasn't that same "rival" feel that I had back in the day. Not even the schools that there was bad blood with. I just think it's because these kids all know each other and are friends from playing together on these club teams
If you really want to have fun sit right in the middle of Missouri section, I’ve done it for both basketball and football and got the parents of Eric Gordon treatment. About got Into a fight in the bathroom at halftime.
With three teams ranked ahead of the Illini for certain, and a fourth possibly, suffering defeats tonight, an Illini victory on Friday night will likely move them into the top 10. I sure hope they want to match the energy and interest we have seen MIzzou bring to this game over the past 5 years. This will be the final non-conference opportunity to impress and get attention before the B1G intra-squad slaughter begins. Like always, I expect this game to be a bloody battle.
I was there....not sure of the exact time...but the Illini forced a turnover in the second half that resulted in a Kendal Gill slam dunk that sent the Illini crowd into complete bedlam....it was a moment that I will forever remember!I went in 1988-9. Old checkerdome, sold out, both bands there, students from both schools there.
The Flying Illini pressed full court and came back from 16 point deficit to win. That was first time we know that team would be special.
Memory Lane: 1988 Braggin' Rights
EACH WEEK, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN ILLINI HISTORY, THANKS TO THE WORDS OF LOREN TATE AND THE MEMORIES OF JIM TURPIN.This week: A look
Not at my computer to see the numbers but if looking at the vivid map the Illinois section is on the left
Lockport MJ Lakes
- Joliet
ILL, baby. Let's get it going. My brother was at this game when the Illini lost back in the day and took off his Illini shirt and threw it in the garbage!
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
I was at U of I from 80 to 84...great years in both basketball and football. I am also from Moline, so Iowa has always been enemy #1. However, I do have a healthy hatred of Miznoz as well, and this game is a very big deal.
You know who else is from Moline? Fred Garvin, male prostitute. For those of you too young to understand that reference, look it up...makes you proud to be a Quad City native!
Don’t have a great feeling about this game. The atmosphere might rattle the team a bit and hype up Missouri. Hope they keep good composure and make it a solid half court game. Limit turnovers and opponent transition points and play good perimeter defense and come home with a win. Let them score in transition and make a bunch of open 3s and come home with a loss.
Illinois 82-71
Probably the side with less tickets available is the Illinois side
We’ve already won at the RAC. If this team can’t handle what’s likely to be a so-so Mizzou crowd filling only half the stadium to support a 7-4 team that’s lost to Jackson St., we’ve got some things to work through. Given the maturity we’ve seen out of this group, I expect them to come out and play confident like the better team they are and hopefully run away with this thing.
Illinois has to show up. The records and rankings mean nothing in this game. Doubt many saw us getting waxed last year by 22 or winning by 25 the year before that. We have lost 4 of the past 5 games to Missouri so time to put up.
Missouri can hang with any team in the nation. Even if they get down they are gonna try to make a run. Last 2 games they lost to Kansas by 9 and Seton Hall by 6. If they play remotely close to that level we have a battle. I have been to a number of these games before but first time my wife is attending this year.
Missouri can hang with any team in the nation. Even if they get down they are gonna try to make a run. Last 2 games they lost to Kansas by 9 and Seton Hall by 6. If they play remotely close to that level we have a battle. I have been to a number of these games before but first time my wife is attending this year.
blackdog
- Champaign
Not just won at the RAC but also played Tennessee tough at their place and played at MSG so multiple exposures to different atmospheres that could be distractions. They've shown they can still come out and handle their business so hopefully that won't be a concern.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I was there too. Up near the top of the rafters behind the basket. Only Braggin' Rights game in person.I was there....not sure of the exact time...but the Illini forced a turnover in the second half that resulted in a Kendal Gill slam dunk that sent the Illini crowd into complete bedlam....it was a moment that I will forever remember!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
This is a game where we need to get off to a great start like against colgate or some semblance close and maintain control of the game throughout......
As I said in my earlier post about misery that if we can contain Sean East then their offense will sputter and speed up......They are prone to turnovers and getting into foul trouble......stop their penetration into the paint and run them off the arc and we should prevail............
I'll stick to my earlier prediction of................
Illini 80
misery 74
As I said in my earlier post about misery that if we can contain Sean East then their offense will sputter and speed up......They are prone to turnovers and getting into foul trouble......stop their penetration into the paint and run them off the arc and we should prevail............
I'll stick to my earlier prediction of................
Illini 80
misery 74
Lay off the bean burritos brother. We got this!
- Status