Mizzou's bench comes up clutch against Illinois

Members of the Missouri basketball team pose with the Braggin' Rights trophy after they defeated Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. Some players hold up three fingers, symbolizing the number of consecutive victories MU now has in the series. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)COLUMBIA, Mo. — It has been nearly seven years since the Missouri men’s basketball team appeared in The Associated Press Top 25, and whether that happens Monday when voters submit their ballots, Cuonzo Martin has opinions.

“It doesn’t matter to me. I think it might matter to our fans, and I think it matters to an extent to our players, just for the fact they’re recognized for their work,” Missouri’s coach said…