Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

The crowd during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

An official talks with John Groce after he disagreed with a call during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard D.J. Richardson (1) tries to retain a stolen ball from Missouri' guard Earnest Ross (33) during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

John Groce heads on to the court to voice his disagreement with officiating during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Joseph Bertrand (2) tries to block Missouri' guard Phil Pressey (1) during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Brandon Paul (3) recovers a ball during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

The Illinois team heads for the locker room after the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard D.J. Richardson (1) puts ups shot during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Brandon Paul (3) looks to pass during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard D.J. Richardson (1) drives past Missouri' guard Phil Pressey (1) as Illinois' forward Tyler Griffey (42) looks on during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Referees separate the teams after conflict threatened to erupt into a fight during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Joseph Bertrand (2) recovers a loose ball during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

John Groce calls out instructions to the Illini during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois cheerleaders work the crowd during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

UI president Bob Easter (far left) waits for the game start with other fans before the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

A fan is dressed of the holidays before of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Michael Finke and two other Illinois recruits before the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Brad and Keaton Loewen of Bethalto watch the Illini warm up before the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Two hours early, Gail and Bill Hahn of Sherman wait for the start of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Players families wait for the start of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

John Groce talks with Illinois' guard Tracy Abrams (13) during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Brandon Paul (3) gets fouled by Missouri' guard Phil Pressey (1) as he tries to shoot during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Fans react during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Tracy Abrams (13) puts up a shot during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Missouri' guard Earnest Ross (33) tries to stop Illinois' guard Joseph Bertrand (2) during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Joseph Bertrand (2) shoots past Missouri' forward Laurence Bowers (21) during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) shoots in the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

The Illini Pep Band performs during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Michael Finke (far left) and other UI recruits during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' forward Tyler Griffey (42) drives past Missouri' forward Tony Criswell (3) during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Tracy Abrams (13) gets called for a foul on Missouri' guard Jabari Brown (32) late during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard D.J. Richardson (1) goes for a shot during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' forward Tyler Griffey (42) shoots during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Missouri' forward Alex Oriakhi (42) defends as Illinois' forward Sam McLaurin (0) shoots during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) and Missouri' forward Alex Oriakhi (42) battle for a rebound during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

The bench watches intently during the second half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' guard Joseph Bertrand (2) recovers a loose ball during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Missouri' guard Earnest Ross (33) puts a shot during the first half of the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Missouri' forward Laurence Bowers (21) and Missouri' guard Jabari Brown (32) hold the trophy after the Missouri-Illinois men's college basketball in St. Louis on Saturday, December 22, 2012 .