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A little something extra

Mizzou coaches and players know that when they take the floor Saturday at the Scottrade Center, it isn’t just any other game. The atmosphere will be unlike anything they’ve faced since the Showdown for Relief scrimmage against Kansas in early November, and that includes the sold-out home opener vs. Iowa State. But after four consecutive losses in the Braggin’ Rights series, they’re relishing the opportunity to get back on the winning side.

“This is a pretty big game for Missouri fans and for us as well,” junior Kevin Puryear, who grew up a Missouri fan in Blue Springs, said on Thursday. “I’m always excited to play this game, unfortunately we haven’t been able to bring it home the last couple years. But this year, we’re on a mission to bring that big trophy home, and we’re excited about it.”

Unlike many head coaches, who try to downplay rivalry games as just another game on the schedule, Cuonzo Martin acknowledges the atmosphere and energy around the game will be different than others, but he insists his group won’t put any added pressure on themselves because of the opponent.

“Every game is different,” Martin said. “You’ve got to approach, you’ve got to compete, you’ve got to play hard. … No matter if these teams are 1-2 in the country or struggling to finish at .500, the energy and atmosphere is what it is; it’s going to be a battle. These games, you don’t look at their record and say, ‘What’s their record? How many seniors do they have? How many freshmen?’ It doesn’t matter. There’s just energy in this game, and you’d like to win it.”

Heavy dose of Kash

Canisius graduate transfer Kassius Robertson has been an integral part of Mizzou’s 10-2 start, leading the Tigers in both scoring (14.5 ppg) and minutes played. It’s not exactly the role he expected when he signed with the Tigers last spring, but he has grown into one of the team’s veteran leaders and best players through the first third of Mizzou’s schedule.

“When I wanted to transfer, I knew I wanted to play,” Robertson said. “That was definitely kind of a big deal-breaker of whether I was going to play or not. … It’s hard going from 34-35 minutes a game over at Canisius to 20 minutes a game or 18 somewhere else. To be honest, I didn’t expect to play this much when I first got here in the summertime. I didn’t expect to play a good 30 minutes a game or whatever I’m averaging right now. … It’s been obviously a blessing to play this much in my senior season, you know I’m just grateful that I’ve gotten that opportunity.”

Even after a summer of workouts with his team and 12 games under his belt, Robertson says he is still adjusting to the length and athleticism he sees not only in games, but on a daily basis at practice.

“When I go into the lane, I’m used to 6-foot-8 big men who can’t really jump, and who are more looking to take a charge than block your shot. That’s what was a big thing at my old school. The bigs weren’t nearly as athletic as they are here; nobody’s really dunking on anybody back in the MAAC. Here, you’ve got to watch your head, and when you drive to the rim, you’ve got to be ready for that 6-foot-10 guy coming across the lane trying to block your shot.”

Packed house

The Scottrade Center should at capacity Saturday night, with both programs announcing they sold their entire allotment of tickets. Jordan Barnett, a St. Louis native, said he wasn’t able to get any extra tickets for family members and friends after being able to do so in years past. After transferring from Texas to Mizzou midway through the 2015-16 season, Barnett’s second game in a Mizzou uniform was last year’s Braggin’ Rights contest in front of a very sparse crowd.

“I was nervous last year, man. It was only my second game, it was in my hometown and last year I was able to get a lot of extra tickets,” Barnett joked. “So I could have have a lot family come through and a lot of friends come through as well. I was pretty nervous, and even though we did lose the game, it was still a fun atmosphere, and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like this year with a sold-out Mizzou crowd. I’m sure Illinois is going to bring a ton of people as well. It’s going to be really special.”

Martin, who grew up it East St. Louis, said he will follow his typical routine and let his wife deal with all of their family and friends’ ticket requests.

“It’s hard. You wish you could provide (them) for everybody, but my family and my mom, that’s what it is. I learned as a college player, I can’t consume myself with that because it’ll bog me down. So if I can provide it, great. If I can’t, I don’t deal with it at all.”

Tilmon faces a familiar foe

Freshman center Jeremiah Tilmon will not only be playing in his home city Saturday night, but he’ll also be playing against the team he was supposed to be playing for. Tilmon originally signed with Illinois last winter, but after head coach John Groce was fired, the four-star big man was released from his letter of intent and eventually signed with Mizzou after Cuonzo Martin was hired. He’ll face a very unfriendly half of the crowd when the teams take the floor, with Illini fans surely giving him a raucous round of boos for his decision to drop them for their bitter rivals. It can be an overwhelming atmosphere for a freshman, but Barnett said he expects Tilmon to handle it well.

“I think he’ll be all right. Just as long as he plays hard and plays with energy, he’ll be perfectly fine. I don’t think it’s going to affect him too much. But for sure, the Illinois crowd is going to be at his head on Saturday, but it’s going to be good for him to experience that because that’s not going to be the only gym we go to where they’re going to be on his head. It’ll be a great learning experience for our younger guys.”