More than Braggin’ Rights on line for Illini

• Reprints

Illinois head coach Bruce Weber points from the sideline in the second half at the United Center Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Chicago. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times

Updated: January 23, 2012 11:04AM

After struggling against St. Bonaventure and Cornell, and losing ugly to UNLV at the United Center, No. 25 Illinois looks like it’s going to have its hands full against No. 9 Missouri in St. Louis on Thursday (8 p.m., ESPN2).

During their 11-0 start, the Tigers are thrashing their opponents by an average margin of 27.7 points, tops in the nation. That includes a 39-point win over then-No. 18 Cal. Under first-year coach Frank Haith, their four-guard lineup is averaging 87.9 points, second in the nation.

‘‘No one’s been able to stop them,’’ Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. ‘‘Those dudes play hard.’’

Meanwhile, even though they are 11-1, the Illini haven’t even been feeling the love of their own fans, who have booed them from Chicago to Champaign in their last two games.

‘‘You hear the positives, you hear the negatives,’’ center Meyers Leonard said. ‘‘It’s just how it is. We’re a young team. Stuff happens. You always want your fans there for you, but obviously they’re going to be frustrated. If we get a big win against Missouri, the fans will be right back with us.’’

Leonard said his back, which has been bothering him lately, is feeling better. He tweaked it in practice last week, and aggravated the injury when he took a shot to the back against Cornell on Monday.

‘‘It’s a little sore,’’ Leonard said, ‘‘but I’ll be good to go for the game.’’

This game isn’t simply for Braggin’ Rights. Illinois also is playing for its NCAA tournament résumé — and for momentum and confidence when it opens Big Ten play against Minnesota on Tuesday.

‘‘It’s a great game,’’ Weber said of one of the nation’s best nonconference rivalries. ‘‘It’s great preparation for the Big Ten. It’s also a big game in the big picture. If you find a way to get a victory, it’s going to pay big dividends down the road.’’

To do that, the Illini are emphasizing getting off to a quick start, using their size advantage and playing with all-around intensity.

‘‘I told them we’re the underdogs,’’ Weber said. ‘‘Go play, see what happens. Get after it, see if we can disrupt them and keep it close and make the clutch plays [at the end]. They haven’t been in that situation.’’