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Final score: Bradley 74 Liberty 64

Da Coach

Da Coach

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Bradley (3-4) will play Liberty (5-1) in the 3rd-4th place game in the Terry's Chocolate ESPN Invitational Tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Game time- 2:30 pm Eastern (1:30 pm Central)
The game will be on ESPNU.

ESPNU/ESPN+ link- https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/e8453463-4e7c-4b5d-9c84-08c157f57307
Chat room- https://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans
WMBD radio - https://wmbdradio.com/player/?playerID=2045
Live Stats- https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=623604
Live stats for all tournament games- https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/tournament.php?tid=683

Liberty came into the tournament with a record of 4-0 (all 4 were home wins).
Schedule/results- https://libertyflames.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
In the Orlando Tournament. they beat Vermont 79-73 in the Monday game, then lost 69-72 to Towson in the semifinal game Tuesday.
Liberty Roster- https://libertyflames.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/
Stats- https://libertyflames.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2025-26

Liberty has a couple connections to Bradley. They are coached by Ritchie McKay, who was an assistant coach under Jim Molinari (1991-1993). He also poached Danny Granger from Bradley after Molinari was let go after the 2001-2002 season. Granger left school at the mid-term break in January, 2003 over differences with first-year head coach Jim Les. After McKay initially denied illegal contact with Granger, it was later proven that McKay, and his assistant Duane Broussard, who was also a former assistant under Jim Molinari, had indeed called Granger, his father, and his high school coach more than two dozen times. McKay and Broussard were sanctioned by the NCAA for these violations.
One other connection is Liberty's starting senior forward Zach Cleveland. He is from Bloomington, Illinois and attended Normal Community High School. Bradley Head Coach Brian Wardle had recruiting contact with Cleveland, though there was not an offer.
Liberty was the #1 pick on the 2025-26 Conference-USA Preseason poll, and Cleveland was an All-Conference pick. So far, this season' he is averaging 11.3 ppg (4th on the team) and a team-leading 9.0 rpg.
conferenceusa.com

MBB: 2025-26 CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team and Poll Announced

DALLAS – Liberty was voted the preseason favorite to win the 2025-26 Conference USA men’s regular season championship, as voted by the league’s 12 head coaches. Kennesaw State’s Simeon Cottle was named the Preseason Player of the Year and headlines the conference’s 10 Preseason All-Conference...
conferenceusa.com conferenceusa.com
As a team, Liberty was averaging 57.2% FG%, and 45.6% on three point shots prior to Tuesday's game against Towson. Both those numbers ranked 3rd best in the country in today's NCAA stats.
www.espn.com

2025-26 Men's College Basketball Team Stat Leaders - ESPN

ESPN is the place for NCAAM stats! Find a list of the team stat leaders for the 2025-26 NCAAM Regular Season.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
www.espn.com

2025-26 Men's College Basketball Team Stat Leaders - ESPN

ESPN is the place for NCAAM stats! Find a list of the team stat leaders for the 2025-26 NCAAM Regular Season.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
However, they shot 27-59 (45.8%) overall and just 7-30 from three in their game today against Towson. That dropped their overall FG% to 55.3%, still good enough to rank in the top 3 in the country. But their 3-point percentage dropped to 41.9%. which will drop Liberty out of the Top 10.
 
RE the statement on defense of this team...tho it has been an issue, I think we have our best perimeter on-ball defender tandem in Wheeler and Johnson that I've seen in the Wardle era...they're not on court at the same time always.
 
LittleBrave said:
RE the statement on defense of this team...tho it has been an issue, I think we have our best perimeter on-ball defender tandem in Wheeler and Johnson that I've seen in the Wardle era...they're not on court at the same time always.
Click to expand...
...wouldn't argue too much with your comment, however we also have a so called "elite shooter" who couldn't guard a kitchen chair.
 
I'm lacking alot of confidence regarding us defeating Liberty! I watched them play in there last game and even though they lost, they looked really good at times! Liberty is the better team and until we can beat a better team, I'll just hope we keep the game close enough to make an upset possible!
 
Where is Rienk Mast when you need him? Oh! He was playing for Nebraska last night scoring 31 points. I think it is his
7th year in college basketball. One year he did not play due to injury.

Btw. Rienk possesses basketball skill and team play wisdom. I believe Coach Wardle was a positive influence in his development.
 
Towson playing much better to start the 2nd half. They have cut UCSD's lead to 54-43 at the 16 minute timeout.
 
The announcers for ESPNU are horrid


Nonstop talking about themselves and irrelevant stuff


As if they don't even know there's a game going on in front of the them
 
WOW! What a nice surprise! We beat a good team! I was so down after last night, I didn't listen to the game! I just turned it on in time to hear Coach Wardle. He praised his team especially defensively! He said they have it in them to compete! We had very little rest last night and to come back and play hungry is a real testament that this team will not give in! I'm so very happy about this win! I hope they can continue to get better as the season progresses! We will see how consistent they can play good when the MVC season begins! This BU win gives me much more confidence that we can challenge for a MVC title later this year!
 
Yes the team is playing a little better. And yes we beat a good team. Still lots to improve on. Good to see improved inside play. Can't count on Wheeler and Burch and Johnson to do the bulk of the scoring. Need inside play to go with shooting from the outside. Wish Meta really works his tail off to be a force on the inside. His size and strength, he can be more of a factor on the inside. On home to face a good opponent who play a tough schedule. Should be a tough game, but hope Bradley continues to improve and get a win.
 
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