In the 38th edition of the Missouri-Illinois Braggin’ Rights Game, Cuonzo Martin’s Tigers wrestled away what might be the tallest trophy in college basketball, snapping a five-game losing streak in the annual holiday clash with a 79-63 victory.
With so much attention focused on Mizzou’s three Illini exiles, it was the least celebrated of the trio — and the least lustfully booed every time he touched the ball — who made the biggest plays in the biggest moments.
Freshman guard Javon Pickett, playing just across the river from his home in Belleville, gave the Tigers a career-high 16 points, missing all but one of his eight shots from the field in his Braggin’ Rights debut.