Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from Illini win over Missouri

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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the New Mexico State Aggies on December 16, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team went into the Braggin’ Rights game against Missouri and came out with a big-time win.

Illinois needed this win after starting the season off 8-5. The Illini haven’t been blown out in any game this season, so having five losses by close margins hurts my soul as an Illinois fan. But, on Saturday night, this Illinois team went into that arena in St. Louis and took what was rightfully theirs.

This win by the Illini now makes five in a row over Missouri. To have a rivalry, doesn’t the other team have to win every once in a while? If it wasn’t for the venomous crowds and the pure hate for the other team, this would just be a regular one-sided series.

Oh, and let’s talk about the implications of this win as well. Illinois moves to 9-5 with a win over a good team, which is a positive for the postseason. They are on a five-game winning streak against Missouri. And, they are 1-0 against the former Illini commit that we call Jeremiah Tilmon.

This couldn’t have been a better Saturday night for Illini fans. There were some things that I noticed – good and bad – from the win against Missouri, though.

Here are my five takeaways from the Illini victory over Missouri.

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