Mizzou basketball lands on wrong side of history in Braggin’ Rights blowout loss
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Illinois recorded its largest Braggin’ Rights victory, routing Mizzou 91-48 Monday.
- Illinois held Mizzou to 28.6% shooting, neutralized paint with Zvonimir Ivisic.
- Mizzou suffered injuries and cold shooting; SEC opener vs Florida arrives Jan. 3.
History was made in St. Louis on Monday — and Mizzou basketball was on the ugly end of it. Illinois scored its largest ever victory over the Missouri Tigers in the Braggin’ Rights rivalry.
The Illini completely shut down what has been one of the top shooting teams in the country this season. Mizzou entered Monday leading all of NCAA basketball by shooting 53.7%. But Brad Underwood’s team held the Tigers to just 28.6% shooting with 18 paint points in the 91-48 blowout.
The Tigers couldn’t seem to crack Illinois’ Zvonimir Ivisic. The 7-2 center from Croatia dominated the paint, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking three shots to effectively shut down Mizzou.
Ivisic’s twin brother, Tomislav, was one of three Illini in double-digits with 14 points, trailing Andrej Stojakovic’s 16 and Keaton Wagler’s 22.
Wagler particularly excelled in an area that Mizzou struggled in. The Tigers went 6-for-22 from 3 for the game. Wagler made five 3s himself. Illinois made 15 as a team.
While already down forwards Jevon Porter and Trent Pierce and shooting guard Jayden Stone due to injury, Mark Mitchell exited late in the second half with apparent back discomfort.
Mitchell put up just five points against Illinois, while Jacob Crews was also uncharacteristically cold. Crews went 1-for-9, his only made shot being one of Mizzou’s six 3-pointers.
At the very least, two Tigers eclipsed double-digits, led by Sebastian Mack’s 17 points. Anthony Robinson had 12 points, albeit on 3-for-11 shooting.
Monday was the first time the Tigers were held to under 40 points in the Dennis Gates era, a bitter end to Mizzou’s 2025-26 nonconference schedule. The Tigers now hope to leave that performance in 2025 as they wait for the new year to come, with their next matchup being their SEC opener against ... reigning national champion Florida.
That said, the Tigers did manage an upset in Gainesville, Florida, last January. Can it happen again?
Tipoff for Mizzou’s conference opener is set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 in Columbia.
