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Final score: Bradley 70 Southern Illinois 60

Attendance looked like less than 1000 on TV. It was not pretty, but it is another road win. Hoping for a strong finish heading into the Lou.
 
Bradley's starting lineup today included Jaquan Johnson, Alex Huibregtse, AJ Smith, Corey Thomas, and Ahmet Jonovic. That is a bigger lineup than Wardle usually starts, and it was successful today at pulling out to an early double-digit lead. I wouldn't mind seeing that starting lineup more often.
 
bigjimmy said:
Can we just enjoy a win by double digits on the road please. Doesn't matter how we got there, we got there. Are there things that we can improve on? Absolutely. But as long as we keep winning I don't care how ugly it can look.
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Bingo. Bradley was picked like 5th or 6th in the Valley and we are sitting alone in 2nd place with just a handful of games left. A great accomplishment and who knows what’s next?
 
Bradley in sole possession of 2nd place! A 2 seed I believe would be much better then a 3 seed. The 3 seed would have to play I think a tougher first game! I could be wrong by the time the tourney starts, but as of today, I'd rather play Valparaiso in 7th place then say any of those teams now tied for 6th like Illinois State or Northern Iowa which I consider much tougher opponents!
 
yoda said:
and zone teams that can't shoot threes
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I have been saying this for weeks. Most of the teams in the Valley are not great at shooting 3 pointers. Stats do not lie about these teams. There are dome teams that have only one great 3 point shooter so you just need to know who he is and extend out of your zone in guarding him. Not rocket science to figure that out.
 
Illinois State was originally picked to win the Valley and Bradley 4th. However, that's with MVC coaches poll! There was an outlet ( top 144 teams) that picked Bradley first. I also think another outlet picked Belmont. In any case, there is no way to sugar coat the disappointment that Illinois State has been this year! When I knew I wanted to take my entire family to the home Illinois state game this feb.21st, I really thought we'd be chasing down Illinois State and because I thought they as our rivals, that this would be Bradley's game of the year!!!! I do still hope Carver arena fills up for the Illinois State game!
 
bigjimmy said:
Can we just enjoy a win by double digits on the road please. Doesn't matter how we got there, we got there. Are there things that we can improve on? Absolutely. But as long as we keep winning I don't care how ugly it can look.
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THANK YOU!!!!

I thought we played one of our best games of the season. And looks like Wardle has this team playing it's best ball down the stretch as usual.

A lot of contributions from everyone today, but Bully just took over once again.

Not much from Burch, but I think he'll be back in the mix the last 3 or 4 games.
At the end of the game Wardle and O-Show were on good terms.

Great game to keep rollin vs the Sad-lukis!
 
Braves are 11-5 now and alone in 2nd place by 1/2 game over Murray.
That final game could be for the 2nd seed just like last season's vs UNI in which BU won.

Each win from here on out is closer to a Top 3 seed. I'd probably rather have the 4 seed as it might be a better path in Arch Madness. Ultimate goal is the 2-seed tho.
 
I'm so happy BU is in 2nd place. In general, they've defied expectations! At the start of the season, I was just hopeful to get at least 5th place for the first round bye! Now I feel Greedy and want us to get the 2nd seed! I'm dreaming of Bradley to run the table and get to the Championship game on a long win streak! OK OK that dream may be far fetched, but getting to the Championship game would be special because they give themselves a shot at The NCAA bid! They've been close the last few years and been very consistent good Valley team! I think they will breakthrough eventually and win the tourney!
 
tomahawk chop said:
I have been saying this for weeks. Most of the teams in the Valley are not great at shooting 3 pointers. Stats do not lie about these teams.
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You are right. Below is a comparison of the 2024-25 MVC teams' 3-point FG%'s compared with 2025-26.
Belmont, Evansville, and Valpo's percentages are slightly better this year, Murray State's is about the same, and every other team is significantly lower.

2024-25.........................................................................2025-26
1771212925207.png1771212980521.png
 
I'll say this again that this year's version of the Braves is EXCEPTIONAL at taking care of the ball.
This sometimes is covered up by glaring flaws, but it seems to put this team in position to win the close games.

For many yrs we've harped on players and teams for making careless turnovers and making weak passes, often times committing more turnovers than our opponents and being a reason for coming up short.

I can't recall a BU team who has been this good at limiting turnovers, and they do a good job at forcing them! I believe it's a huge reason we're in 2nd place in the MVC.

It all starts with the PGs. Tho Montana has struggled at times lately, he still makes good decisions for a Freshman and takes care of the ball.
 
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 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?
 
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