Missouri is currently on a ten-game winning streak, having recently defeated Jacksonville State 83-72, with standout performances from Mark Mitchell, who scored 18 points, and Jacob Crews, who added 19 points.

SportsLine's computer model predicts the game will favor the Over on points, suggesting a high-scoring affair given both teams' offensive capabilities.

The Illinois Fighting Illini, with a record of 7-3, are set to face the Missouri Tigers, who boast a 10-1 record, in the annual Braggin' Rights game on December 22, 2024, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, with a scheduled tip-off at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Key player for Missouri, Anthony Robinson II, is averaging 11.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, contributing significantly to the team's success this season.

Betting odds from BetMGM Sportsbook show Illinois as the favorite with a moneyline of -150, a spread of -3.5, and an over/under set at 154.5 points.

The suggestion for the over/under is to take the over at 154.5, as both teams are expected to thrive in a charged atmosphere, particularly with a sold-out crowd.

Illinois recently suffered a narrow loss to No. 1 Tennessee, 66-64, marking their first home defeat of the season, while they have struggled with alternating wins and losses in their last four games.

Despite their recent struggles, Illinois has faced a challenging schedule, with losses to Alabama, Northwestern, and Tennessee, but they also have notable victories against Arkansas and Wisconsin.

The prediction for the game suggests a close contest, with Illinois expected to edge out Missouri 91-85, leveraging their talent and experience.

Under coach Brad Underwood, Illinois has effectively integrated talented freshmen, including Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic, and Will Riley, each contributing significantly to the team's scoring.

Illinois leads the historical series against Missouri 34-20, but Missouri has recently outperformed Illinois with a 5-4-1 record against the spread in their last ten encounters.

Both teams are known for their high-scoring games, with Illinois averaging 84 points per game and Missouri averaging 88.7 points, ranking fourth in scoring overall.