Prior to each Mizzou hoops game this season, we will get Tiger fans set with The Starting Five. In this feature, we'll give you the anticipated starting lineups for each team, break down keys to a Missouri win and offer up a prediction.
Here is the breakdown of tonight's Braggin' Rights game against Illinois.
OFF THE BENCH: Brad Underwood will play a lot of players and three of Illinois' six leading scorers come off the bench. Aaron Jordan leads the way with 12.1 points per game and 60% accuracy from three-point range, despite not starting a game. Kipper Nichols averages 9.7 points per game, Trent Frazier 8.2 and Da'Monte Williams plays more than 19 minutes per game to round out a primarily nine-man rotation.
OFF THE BENCH: Jordan Geist doesn't start at point guard, but he gets starter's minutes. He is averaging 19 minutes per game with 7.5 points and four rebounds. Jontay Porter is probably Missouri's most complete player. He averages 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 blocked shots per game. Cullen VanLeer, Terrence Phillips and Reed Nikko will see some time as well.
                       KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Control the Emotion. Missouri has played big games, but it hasn't played a game that counts in an atmosphere like this. Scotttrade Center is going to be charged up. For no player will this be more important than Jeremiah Tilmon. The freshman big man figures to get booed every time he touches the ball. Bringing him off the bench might not be the worst plan for Cuonzo Martin. You can't win a game in the first ten minutes, but you can lose one.
2. Win on the glass. The Tigers have a size advantage...as they do against most teams. Missouri has a +9.5 rebounding margin on the season, but Illinois is +6 itself. The Tigers have dominated on the glass most of the year, particularly on the offensive end.
3. Take over late. Illinois has been in a lot of close games and lost most of them. Missouri has been in a handful of close games and won most of them. The Tigers haven't necessarily been great down the stretch, but they've done enough to win most games. This series tends to be up for grabs at the final TV timeout. Whoever wins the last segment probably wins the game and has a good Christmas.
                      TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 7:00 p.m. Central
TELEVISION: ESPN2/WatchESPN
RADIO: The game will be broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, click here.
                        THE BOTTOM LINE
Both of these teams are at the beginning of a rebuilding process. But Missouri is further down the road. The Tigers are a better team and have shown more of an ability to close out games this season. It won't be easy because this series is never easy, but look for the Tigers to keep the Illini at arm's length most of the second half.
PREDICTION: Missouri 81, Illinois 72
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jontay Porter rebounds from a couple of quiet games with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
