Illinois and Missouri meet in a semi-neutral floor meeting on Sunday with each team looking for a strong non-conference victory.
The Tigers are enjoying a bounceback campaign this season that already features a win against Kansas. Can the team score another victory against a team with Final Four aspirations in Illinois? The Fighting Illini have thrived on the defensive end, but are still searching for consistency on offense around star freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Can the team find it against Missouri?
Here’s our betting preview.
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Moneyline
Total: 154.5 (Over -108/Under -112)
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Illinois
Kasparas Jakucionis: The 6’6” point guard has thrived to start his college career, averaging 16 points, six rebounds and nearly six assists per game. Jakucionis is a deft three-point shooter as well, hitting 42% of his threes for the perimeter oriented Fighting Illini offense.
Missouri
Mark Mitchell: The Duke transfer has thrived in the new setting, averaging 13 points with five rebounds per game while also providing strong defense as an interior presence with more than a block per game to go with a steal.
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Missouri’s heavy ball pressure defense will be a test for Jakucionis, who does have a near-27% turnover rate, but overall this Illinois offense rates out as a strong unit at protecting the ball, ranking top 60 in turnover rate.
With the Tigers aggressive defense, it is vulnerable to letting up second chances, bottom 30 in the country in defensive rebounding rate, which is impactful with the Illinois’ offense elite at generating offensive rebounds, top 30 in the nation.
Missouri’s defense is a bit of a boom-or-bust unit, and I also believe the offense is due to regress after starting the season posting a top three effective field goal percentage in the country at nearly 60% while posting a top three free throw rate.
Illinois’ defense has a ton of length and shuts off the perimeter for opponents, allowing a bottom 40 three-point rate while ranking top five in effective field goal percentage allowed.
This may be an up-and-down affair, but I like this matchup for Illinois to hand Missouri a well overdue loss.
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PICK: Illinois -3.5
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The largest distributor of kratom products in Missouri has agreed to suspend all in-state sales of kratom and its alkaloids, effective immediately.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday morning that Shaman Botanicals, LLC (American Shaman) will not sell any kratom product to Missouri consumers in stores or online.
“Kratom alkaloids, especially 7-OH, are dangerous opioids that carry serious health risks,” Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway said. “We stepped in to shut down deceptive tactics that put public health in danger. This resolution protects consumers by taking these products off Missouri shelves.”
The action ends litigation between the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Health and Senior Services and American Shaman.
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The business also agreed to abandon Missouri-targeted retail advertising, including billboards, within 30 days.
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into the business practices of American Shaman in November 2025
FILE — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued CBD American Shaman over kratom products.(Hannah Falcon/KFVS)
In March, the Attorney General’s Office filed suit against American Shaman and companies connected with it.
Hanaway had alleged American Shaman advertised “free samples” of 7-OH despite its addictive nature, and frequently without disclosing the risk of addiction in its marketing.
“Retailers who use free samples and misleading marketing to hook consumers, especially those struggling with addiction, will face swift enforcement,” Hanaway said.
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Missourians who believe they were harmed by kratom alkaloids are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office at 800-392-8222 or by submitting an online complaint at ago.mo.gov.
Two people were seriously injured in a crash Wednesday morning in Cole County on Route B, south of Spring Ridge Road, near St. Thomas, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Around 11:50 a.m., a 2020 Honda CRV SUV driven by a 67-year-old woman from Meta attempted to turn southbound onto Route B and traveled into the path of 2018 Freightliner Cascadia semitruck driven by a 71-year-old-man, according to the crash report.
The driver of the Honda and the passenger, a 66-year-old-man from Meta, were not wearing seat belts and were airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia, according to the crash report. Both sustained serious injuries, according to the report.
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The driver of the semitruck was not injured, according to the crash report.
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
