LittleBrave
Well-known member
Not only this possible disadvantage, but the 3-seed just hasn't faired well in Arch Madness since the turn of the millenium...probably a lot to do with the quick turnaround after a late 1st round game.
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Final score: Bradley 70 Southern Illinois 60
- Thread starter Da Coach
- Start date
LittleBrave
Well-known member
I don't DC...but apparently AI does!SIU's 0-15 day shooting threes reminded me of this awful performance by the Braves under first year head coach Geno Ford-
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF) - Bradley University Athletics
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF)bradleybraves.com
Unfortunately, I was there to witness it, although I had a great time in Laramie, Wyoming. What a cool "old west" type of town.
I seem to remember there was one other game that Bradley went 0-for on three point shots. Does anyone recall when that was?
And coincidentally the last time was Coach Wardle's 1st season on the hilltop!
- January 3, 2015 vs. Northern Iowa: This is the most recent recorded time the Bradley men’s basketball team finished a game with 0 made 3-pointers. They went 0-for-9 from behind the arc in a 63–44 loss.
- February 2, 1991 vs. Creighton: The Braves went 0-for-10, ending their original streak that had begun when the 3-point line was first introduced in 1986.
Outside of these specific dates, Bradley has been remarkably consistent. For comparison, as of early 2026, the team currently averages about 9.0 made 3-pointers per game, ranking them among the more prolific shooting teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.
LittleBrave
Well-known member
That was the beginning of a wonderful time in Bradley hoops! NOT!SIU's 0-15 day shooting threes reminded me of this awful performance by the Braves under first year head coach Geno Ford-
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF) - Bradley University Athletics
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF)
Unfortunately, I was there to witness it, although I had a great time in Laramie, Wyoming. What a cool "old west" type of town.
I seem to remember there was one other game that Bradley went 0-for on three point shots. Does anyone recall when that was?
Man, I'm sure we all are thankful that the rock bottom days and helpless feeling as fans are past and the program has been looking strong for about a decade now in the Wardle era.
daveineureka
Active member
Everybody has their opinions on Wardle's coaching. I for one also have my opinion. But my take is that this year Wardle has done his best coaching considering the shortcomings along the front court play. To be in this position currently alone in 2nd place is proof to me of his coaching this year. As with everyone he has his shortcomings. He is human like us all. Whatever happens from this point on will not diminish my thoughts. Going forward and looking to next year it is a must that we get immediate impact front court players, especially ones that can score at the rim which is a weakness on this years team. Let's hope we can finish the season on a strong note heading into St. Louis. "LET'S GO BRAVES"
Dub
Well-known member
For the better part of my life, the prevailing mode for Bradley seemed to be win all your home games, lose all the road games, and finish mid pack or so. Now we win road games with some regularity. That has made it considerably more fun as a fan. I credit BW for this new standard of competitiveness.
I wouldn't ever desire to be a college coach. You can do your best to recruit the "right" players for your team, but you really do not know how it is going to work out. Injuries, grade issues, and outside factors come into play. Your future depends on your recruits making good decisions on and off the court, and most males ages 18 to 22 years old are not fully mature in their cognitive brain development.
Yes, it was not long ago that Bradley fans just expected to lose every road game. That has changed under Coach Wardle, and though road games are still not easy to win, the record has become more respectable.
Bradley road record for past 15 seasons
2011-12 road record- 1-12
2012-13 road record- 4-10 (note that Bradley had the 339th ranked Strength of Schedule this year)
2013-14 road record- 1-11
2014-15 road record- 1-10
2015-16 road record- 1-12
2016-17 road record- 3-10
2017-18 road record- 4-9
2018-19 road record- 5-8
2019-20 road record- 4-8
2020-21 road record- 2-9
2021-22 road record- 4-8
2022-23 road record- 8-5
2023-24 road record- 6-7
2024-25 road record- 8-3
2025-26 road record- 4-5
BUBraves2006
Well-known member
Part one of my adventure to Carbondale: https://bubraves2006.substack.com/p/one-more-adventure-traveling-to-carbondale
Had a lot of fun putting this together, so please take a look - it's not crazy long.
Had a lot of fun putting this together, so please take a look - it's not crazy long.
BU needs to bring back the awesome 2012-13 team for a halftime honoring ceremony...
That team made it all the way three games into the CollegeInsider.com postseason Tournament!
An unforgettable year with 5 of the 6 best players being holdovers from the previous coach.
and arguably the MVC is as tough or tougher this year than most, ranking 9th in Conference NET and RPI
...ahead of the WAC, the American & CUSA ... back in 2023, the MVC ranked 15th
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LittleBrave
Well-known member
Love this!
And yes, even in the middle 2000s it seems we had a losing road record every season (except maybe 2006) but won majority of home games.
I will say attendance appears to be wayyy down from what it was 10 years ago - and considerably down from 20, making road environment a bit easier.
Not to take anything away from what Wardle has done tho! Always tougher on the road in the Valley!
It's so awesome hearing BU, BU, BU from the faithful travelers at the end of a Bradley win!
tomahawk chop
Well-known member
The disappointing thing is the recruiting because we were in need of inside players and had we gotten just 2 decent ones we would be in first place period. The lack of inside scoring and rebounding is the difference in winning more games period. I will never say he is not a good coach but I do wish we would play more zone against bad shooting teams and not sub in and out so many times.
I like your "travelog" style.
I have been to the SIU campus and arena nearly 20 times over the years. It's a little less than a 4 hour drive from Peoria. Fans have always been friendly and don't hassle opponent's fans. Many of the areas like the large foyers, photos and museum-like areas were added with a major renovation that took place in 2010. Before that, the arena had only a tiny foyer, a single small concession stand, and one bathroom each for men and women.
The geography changes just south of Carbondale because the glaciers from the most recent ice age didn't get much farther south. There is beautiful scenery like that of Giant City State Park, if you ever have a chance to get there. It is totally unlike most of the rest of the flat landscape we are familiar with in Illinois.
I have some great memories of that arena, like the '87-'88 season when the team clinched the MVC title there and cut down the nets. Then it happened again in 1996, and that time I brought a camera to document it.
Dubl R 1
Well-known member
somehow BU outrebounded them by 10 that game, even when shooting only 36%.... probably BU's 22 TURNOVERS skewed the rebounding numbers....,SIU's 0-15 day shooting threes reminded me of this awful performance by the Braves under first year head coach Geno Ford-
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF) - Bradley University Athletics
Box Score (Corrected) (PDF)
Unfortunately, I was there to witness it, although I had a great time in Laramie, Wyoming. What a cool "old west" type of town.
I seem to remember there was one other game that Bradley went 0-for on three point shots. Does anyone recall when that was?
wow 0-14 from 3 with 22 turnovers...thats a bad day...only 3 ASSISTS!
I don't remember this gem, probably put me into a mental breakdown at the time and my mind has suppressed it
bradleyfan124
Well-known member
I think part of the subbing strategy is to give your players more rest during the game so that at the end they are fresher. I have always said Bradley plays better in the second half. Maybe what I should say is the other team is more tired in the second half
I believe you're right. And Coach Wardle's teams not only play better in the 2nd half, they seem to always get better later in the season and at Tournament time. So maybe the subbing can be justified. I just don't like taking out a player who just hit 3 or 4 shots in a row.
But if you look at last year's Drake team, Ben McCollum played some of his starters nearly 40 minutes per game. That worked out pretty well for him at season's end. These are stats from last year (2024-25).
Bballjunkie
Member
Understand that you want your players fresh but there are media timeouts at 16,12,8, and 4 minutes plus coaches time outs and numerous official reviews. These kids are in tremendous shape. If you use your substitutions wisely around those time outs players get plenty of rest. The best teams in the country play their horses significant minutes. I stand by my comments that our subbing is excessive. That's why we struggle in first half at times. We are playing much better basketball and I hope it continues.
Heemeskerk
Member
It may be just me but it seems that Wardle subsitutions are often for mistakes. I see him grimmace when a player makes a mistake stomps his foot then turns around and finds a sub for the player who made the mistake. Then the substitute comes in two minutes later and I am not sure the guy who made the mistake realizes why he is being pulled. I don't know seems a bit of emotional decision and seems counter productive at times disrupting rythm and you certainly don't want guys to be afraid of being pulled for making misakes. However with that said Wardle is a very good coach in my opinion and I am a guy who looks at spreadsheets the greater part of my day so...
BUBraves2006
Well-known member
I never get enough of your back stories that show your incredible fandom! Thanks for all these.I like your "travelog" style.
I have been to the SIU campus and arena nearly 20 times over the years. It's a little less than a 4 hour drive from Peoria. Fans have always been friendly and don't hassle opponent's fans. Many of the areas like the large foyers, photos and museum-like areas were added with a major renovation that took place in 2010. Before that, the arena had only a tiny foyer, a single small concession stand, and one bathroom each for men and women.
The geography changes just south of Carbondale because the glaciers from the most recent ice age didn't get much farther south. There is beautiful scenery like that of Giant City State Park, if you ever have a chance to get there. It is totally unlike most of the rest of the flat landscape we are familiar with in Illinois.
I have some great memories of that arena, like the '87-'88 season when the team clinched the MVC title there and cut down the nets. Then it happened again in 1996, and that time I brought a camera to document it.
View attachment 529373
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So, you guys want to talk zone? I've been meaning to do this for awhile and I went back and broke down every single use of the zone by Bradley in the last game. Took awhile, so I hope you enjoy it!
https://bubraves2006.substack.com/p/one-more-adventure-traveling-to-carbondale-b61
Dub
Well-known member
I feel like I’m winning at life to make a statement and have the great DC provide a data analysis to back my assertions so clearly.
But seriously guys, in the last 10 years, this program has produced something like 35-40 MORE ROAD WINS than previous era for us to enjoy and be amused by. What value would you assign to that?