Missouri holds off late charge, beats No. 6 Illinois 81-78
Illinois's Andre Curbelo, right, dribbles around Missouri's Xavier Pinson, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Illinois's Andre Curbelo, right, dribbles around Missouri's Xavier Pinson, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 09:14 PM EST
Missouri's Dru Smith, Mark Smith, Kobe Brown and Xavier Pinson, form left, celebrate after Missouri defeated Illinois 81-78 in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Missouri's Dru Smith, Mark Smith, Kobe Brown and Xavier Pinson, form left, celebrate after Missouri defeated Illinois 81-78 in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 10:48 PM EST
Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin shouts after a flagrant foul was called against an Illinois player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 81-78. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin shouts after a flagrant foul was called against an Illinois player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 81-78. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 10:47 PM EST
Illinois's Ayo Dosunmu, center, reacts after an offensive foul was called on him during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Illinois's Ayo Dosunmu, center, reacts after an offensive foul was called on him during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 10:43 PM EST
Illinois' Andre Curbelo, center, shoots between Missouri's Dru Smith, left, and Mitchell Smith, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Illinois' Andre Curbelo, center, shoots between Missouri's Dru Smith, left, and Mitchell Smith, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 08:50 PM EST
Missouri's Javon Pickett celebrates with teammates after Missouri defeated Illinois 81-78 in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Missouri's Javon Pickett celebrates with teammates after Missouri defeated Illinois 81-78 in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Dec. 12, 2020 10:44 PM EST