MADISON, Wisc. – Students brandish “Muck Fichigan” across their chests, but Illini football is nothing more than a speed bump on Michigan’s road. Illini and Tiger faithful alike congregate in St. Louis for Braggin’ Rights, yet Missouri hasn’t won since the Clinton Administration. It feels like rivalry, though, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Illinois came away with its second straight win at the Kohl Center against the Badgers, outlasting Wisconsin 66-51. But equally important to the win that propels Illinois into the Big Ten driver’s seat is the win against Wisconsin.

Illinois basketball is obviously becoming a nationally elite program, but what it could use is a heated rivalry. A Carolina to our Duke, a Louisville to our Kentucky. I think Illinois is on its way to making Wisconsin that rival. Michigan State is good, but the programs have too much shared admiration. Missouri is in the dark without a flashlight; but Wisconsin has good young talent and a top-notch coach who will keep them competitive for years and years.

As far as Big Ten coaches go, Bo Ryan and Bruce Weber are Yin and Yang. The opposition of the two extremely successful coaches brings even more Champaign-Madison intensity to the arena. While Weber is chipper and candid, Ryan resembles the bad guy from every Scooby Doo episode and is difficult to deal with. To each his own, both Illinois and Wisconsin have its generals in place for future wars.

Before Tuesday night’s game, I polled 10 members of the Badger student section, The Grateful Red, and all but one of them emphatically confirmed that Illinois is their biggest rival. One went as far as saying Dee Brown and Bruce Weber have been the bull’s-eye of their dartboard since the beginning of the fall semester. Wisconsin fans do not like Illinois, by some accounts the players don’t like Illinois, and the feelings are mutual. The Grateful Red booed the introduction of the Illini, mimicked Orange Krush chants after Illini mistakes, booed even louder for Bruce Weber and booed the loudest for Dee. And why not? Weber was the first coach to sling an ‘L’ at Ryan in his own house and Dee has become the face of the program.

The senior guard has made it no secret that when it comes to Wisconsin, it’s personal. After the Purdue game on Saturday, James Augustine and Rich McBride downplayed the importance of this game, but before they could muster up a complete response, Dee put on his game-face and opposed his teammates, strongly stating that this game is a must win. While the conference was not won or lost Tuesday night, the rivalry was definitely there.

Brown made it clear that when he plays Wisconsin, the game carries extra value. In his mind he recounted the heartbreaks; he touched on losing the Big Ten Championship at the Kohl Center his freshman year, scowled and said, “My sophomore year Devin Harris put 30 on me.” Then smiled and said how much it means to win his last two games at Wisconsin.

It might have been Harris that turned this game ugly, after supposedly going too far with his trash talk in 2004. But he left for greater fortune, and the intensity surrounding the orange and red has remained.

Dee summed up the rivalry and how it’s built around his tenure.

“It’s a unique rivalry, Wisconsin is a program that, like us, has had a lot of wins. The rivalry exists because of the strength of both teams and the success of both programs.”

Brown walked around post-game sporting a shirt that stated, “Illini basketball, New team – Same result” and the famous Dee Brown smile that coaxed so many red-clad fans to draw the line against Illinois. The only negative energy from the senior elated with a rivalry win, was a proclaimed “Damn!” after being informed that this is his last regular season game against the Badgers.

Ian Gold is a senior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].