University of Illinois and University of Missouri athletics officials, announced that the Illini/Mizzou Braggin' Rights Game will remain at Scottrade Center in St. Louis until at least 2017.
According to fightingillini.com, the announcement was made on last Thursday morning at the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis, MO.
Tom Stillman who is Chairman of the St. Louis Blues and Scottrade Center says that, "The Scottrade Center has been the proud home of the annual Illini/Mizzou Braggin' Rights game since the building opened in 1994; We are thrilled that this St. Louis tradition will continue through 2017."
Mizzou Head Coach Frank Haith says that, "There is nothing like this game in all of college basketball; the fan bases are split down the middle and the enthusiasm is second to none. You add in a national television audience and the excitement of the holiday season and you get the best rivalry game of the non-league season."
Fighting Illini Head Coach John Groce says, "I've heard about the importance of the Illinois-Missouri game since the day I took the job here at the University of Illinois; I'm excited about experiencing this rivalry for the first time, and that we are extending the contract so the Braggin' Rights game will continue for many years."
The Fighting Illini hold a 20-11 series advantage in St. Louis and an 11-10 lead in games over the last 21 years. The Tigers have won the last three meetings ('09, '10, '11) following up a 9-game winning streak by Illinois from 2000-2008.
The nation's premier non-conference basketball rivalry, began play in St. Louis, MO on December 10, 1980, and has been played 31 times over the last 32 years, including this season's meeting on Saturday, December 22, 2012.
