Illinois Head basketball coach Bruce Weber, shown in this December 21, 2011 file photo. UPI/Bill Greenblatt/Files
The Missouri Tigers will face a new coach at the Braggin’ Rights game next December in St. Louis. Illinois fired Bruce Weber just one day after the Illini lost to Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Weber will not coach in the NIT if the Illini (17-15 overall, 6-12 Big Ten) are selected. The Tigers beat Weber’s Illini 78-74 back on December 22 for their third win in a row over Illinois.
Weber coached the Illini to the Sweet 16 and NCAA championship game in his first two years, losing to North Carolina in the 2005 national final. Illinois hasn’t advanced past the second round since.
