Missouri vs. Illinois preview: Braggin' Rights game features a pair of top-15 teams

The No. 12 Missouri Tigers are taking on No. 10 Illinois in the annual Braggin' Rights game this Saturday at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. These two teams have played each other since 1980 with the exception of not playing in 1981, and they two schools have extended this series through 2017.

Illinois has traditionally dominated this series, but Missouri has won the last three games. Prior to that, Illinois had a nine-game winning streak against Missouri.

This game is considered one of the best rivalries in all of college basketball and it should live up to that hype since the two teams come into this game with a combined 21-1 record.

This is the best team that Missouri has played, but the last time they played an elite team, they fell to Louisville and their offense was stagnant in that loss. Missouri will need to avoid having a poor offensive output if they want to win.

Missouri has a very balanced attack with six players who score at least nine points per game, and they are led by Laurence Bowers, who averages 16 points per game.

Illinois is not as deep offensively, but they do have Brandon Paul, who averages 18 points per game.

This game tips off at 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN3.