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Looking ahead

I think this is great news (if true). Coach Wardle's standards can sometimes make it tough with recruiting, but the culture he has built is really a differentiator in keeping guys (quality ones at that) in the program. With two guards who can drive and get into the paint, getting solid 3 point shooters in the portal will be key. Like 2 Alex H-type players. I think we also need to add a physical, athletic PF who can rebound effectively.
 
We were the youngest team in the MVC but with the graduation of the 4 seniors & grad students plus potentially losing to the portal Burch & Handy -
That would be the loss of our SIX oldest & most experienced players. Bradley may actually get younger unless we bring in mature, experienced players.
Gotta think that’s why they’re tracking so many of those upper class DII players
 
Pump the brakes a bit here everyone as far as guys coming or going. Season might not even be over. BU could still be an NIT team.
 
Did you guys see all the upsets yesterday in early rounds of conf. tourneys? All underdog winners listed below (and there were others) and going down hard:
Loyola-Chi (+5) beats Richmond by 8
Providence (+3) by 10 over Butler
Delaware St. wins in OT and is 8-22 in the conf. finals!
Mizzou St. (+6) by 8 over Liberty
Northwestern (+6.5) by 14 over IU Hoosiers
Ole Miss (+7.5) by 10 over TX
Fresno St. (12-20) nearly upset Colorado St in 1st round!
Rutgers (+6) by 5 over Minn.
San J St (+15) by 10 over Boise St
Coach Les's UC Davis (+4) by 6 over UCSB
** JL close to another 20-win season - turned the program into a respectable one

Must be that kind of season!
 
Last edited:
JMM28 said:
BU could still be an NIT team.
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Highly unlikely this year. Unless every team from a P4/5 conference turns down an NIT bid (which I suppose is remotely possible). Our current NET is 113. In 2024, it was 57; in 2025, it was 77. We were regular season champs in 2023. I don't think it's going to happen this year. And I don't think Bradley should do CBI or one of the buy-in tourneys.
 
JMM28 said:
Pump the brakes a bit here everyone as far as guys coming or going. Season might not even be over. BU could still be an NIT team.
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Maybe contrary to popular fanbase desire, but I'd love for BU to keep playing in NIT if invited.
Gives our young returning players a great opportunity in post-season. I bet Quanny is chomping at a chance to redeem himself after a tough Arch Madness.
 
BradleyBiz said:
Highly unlikely this year. Unless every team from a P4/5 conference turns down an NIT bid (which I suppose is remotely possible). Our current NET is 113. In 2024, it was 57; in 2025, it was 77. We were regular season champs in 2023. I don't think it's going to happen this year. And I don't think Bradley should do CBI or one of the buy-in tourneys.
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I think there were teams with NET in the 130s last season with all the turning down of invites by Power conf. schools. That's fine by me!
There were quite a few teams in the 60-80 range of NET in the Final 8 last season too, so reaching the Final 4 is a GREAT accomplishment for any mid-major teams amidst some solid teams from start to finish.

Does ISU-red have a better chance than BU even tho we finished ahead of them and frankly were the more consistent team in league play?
 
I don't believe regular season conference rankings factor in much. The committee primarily looks at NET and KenPom rankings. If that is indeed the case, ISUr, Murray, and even UIC would be considered before Bradley. From a consistency standpoint, Bradley and UIC were the most consistent down the stretch...however, I'm not sure how much that factors into the decision.

It is possible that there were AQs with NET rankings in the 130s; they may have come from the no. 11 and 12th ranked conferences. I believe they need to have an average ranking of 125 across all of the various ranking metrics (BPI, KenPom, NET, etc.). So NET could be lower if the other metrics are in the 110s and 120s. But again, I think there are 2-3 teams in the MVC that would unfortunately be considered over Bradley this year. Underscores the importance of non-conf scheduling........
 
This portal season is important
Many MVC teams get their best players from the portal
We got Alex & AJ
VALPO, Murray State, UIC, Belmont, SIU, Drake all got their top scorers from the portal!
UNI is the exception, but ISU kinda stood pat and it hurt their depth
 
yoda said:
I am working on getting a translation... I think you know I have an excellent source... ;)
Click to expand...
My Brazilian family member has offered this translation
************

He said he started playing basketball when he was 11 years old, inspired by his brother. He played for one year in Itatiba, then moved to Campinas, where he played for the team Regatas for three years. During that time, he won a championship.
Later, he went to Mexico to play basketball while attending high school, together with another friend from Regatas. After that, he was invited to play at another high school in Miami.

The man in the video is his father. He said that when Gustavo joined Regatas, he started attracting attention from different places. He received invitations to play in countries like Italy and Spain. He also played in the NBA Junior program, and that’s when he earned a scholarship.

They said Gustavo’s dream is to play in the NBA, and he believes he has a chance to be drafted. To achieve that dream, he thinks he needs to play for a university team in the United States. He said he received 10 scholarship offers and now needs to decide which one to choose. He also said he is very happy to begin this journey and hopes to attract the attention of big teams while playing in college.
They mentioned that he was named MVP while playing with his team in Miami, and because of his strong performance, ESPN included him among the Top 25 centers for the class of 2025.
He also played for the Brazilian national team in the South American Championship in 2023 and in the Americas Championship in 2024. He said he was very excited to represent Brazil and that it was an indescribable moment to play for his country.

The interview was done by the local TV from his hometown, Itatiba, they are very proud of him and his achievements.
 
yoda said:
My Brazilian family member has offered this translation
************

He said he started playing basketball when he was 11 years old, inspired by his brother. He played for one year in Itatiba, then moved to Campinas, where he played for the team Regatas for three years. During that time, he won a championship.
Later, he went to Mexico to play basketball while attending high school, together with another friend from Regatas. After that, he was invited to play at another high school in Miami.

The man in the video is his father. He said that when Gustavo joined Regatas, he started attracting attention from different places. He received invitations to play in countries like Italy and Spain. He also played in the NBA Junior program, and that’s when he earned a scholarship.

They said Gustavo’s dream is to play in the NBA, and he believes he has a chance to be drafted. To achieve that dream, he thinks he needs to play for a university team in the United States. He said he received 10 scholarship offers and now needs to decide which one to choose. He also said he is very happy to begin this journey and hopes to attract the attention of big teams while playing in college.
They mentioned that he was named MVP while playing with his team in Miami, and because of his strong performance, ESPN included him among the Top 25 centers for the class of 2025.
He also played for the Brazilian national team in the South American Championship in 2023 and in the Americas Championship in 2024. He said he was very excited to represent Brazil and that it was an indescribable moment to play for his country.

The interview was done by the local TV from his hometown, Itatiba, they are very proud of him and his achievements.
Click to expand...

Great guy - He was the only BU player to actually approach me and my son both in summer camp and at the spaghetti dinner, other than Meta, who challenged son to a game of 1-on-1...and his English was not very good, but better than Kai's (at the time).
Gustavo smiles a lot and is loving life. Seems to appreciate where he is and the opportunity ahead of him!
 
yoda said:
My Brazilian family member has offered this translation
************

He said he started playing basketball when he was 11 years old, inspired by his brother. He played for one year in Itatiba, then moved to Campinas, where he played for the team Regatas for three years. During that time, he won a championship.
Later, he went to Mexico to play basketball while attending high school, together with another friend from Regatas. After that, he was invited to play at another high school in Miami.

The man in the video is his father. He said that when Gustavo joined Regatas, he started attracting attention from different places. He received invitations to play in countries like Italy and Spain. He also played in the NBA Junior program, and that’s when he earned a scholarship.

They said Gustavo’s dream is to play in the NBA, and he believes he has a chance to be drafted. To achieve that dream, he thinks he needs to play for a university team in the United States. He said he received 10 scholarship offers and now needs to decide which one to choose. He also said he is very happy to begin this journey and hopes to attract the attention of big teams while playing in college.
They mentioned that he was named MVP while playing with his team in Miami, and because of his strong performance, ESPN included him among the Top 25 centers for the class of 2025.
He also played for the Brazilian national team in the South American Championship in 2023 and in the Americas Championship in 2024. He said he was very excited to represent Brazil and that it was an indescribable moment to play for his country.

The interview was done by the local TV from his hometown, Itatiba, they are very proud of him and his achievements.
Click to expand...
I think he could surprise Bradley fans next year
 
Looking Ahead, will Bradley get an NIT invite? If yes, will we be no lower then 4th so we get a home game? OK now I'm absolutely Thrilled to hear Bully is coming back! I'm already excited to maybe get to St.louis next year!!!! I would love to have Burch Back as a senior leader! When he's right, he can be unstoppable! I hope Wardle can convince him to stay! Even if we lose him, retaining most of our players is so important! UNI Proved that this year! The more the Merrier!!!! I like our chances next year with what appears to be a good Freshman class! We need upper class transfers for Leadership and experience from the portal! Would love to get another player from Peoria like UNI does in Cedar Falls! Maybe it will all come together next year!? It's hard to know which team will gel in St.louis? But with Bully Back for a 3rd year, I'll take my chances with my beloved Bradley Braves!!!!!
 
One last note: I just read about Gustavo! Wow! Would that be incredible if he turned out to be as good as R.Mast! Maybe better? I remember we had a great center take us to the sweet 16 in 2006! He was drafted to NBA like Gustavo wants! He could be our secret Ingredient to a special season next year! But I can't get ahead of myself, because he was injured and the past can repeat itself! So I'll just hope he turns out great for Bradley!!!!
 
If all these guys stay we should be in good hands. Bully and Montana along with Richardson can handle the ball in the backcourt. I've heard that Seastrunk improved throughout the season and was one of the better scout team players.
Gustavo might be the sleeper. If he is healthy he looks like he's very agile and moves very well. Between him and Kai the middle might be in good hands.
The real question is if Timo continues to improve and we can get another good rebounding and, even better, shooting forward in that 6'8-6'10 range that can play defense.
 
I know we're all itching to get some news about who's staying/going. I would imagine by tomorrow we'll hear something about someone.
Nice to have NCAA tourney games galore this weekend before it's down to all power schools in the Sweet 16 (likely), but still thinking about BU hoops future through it all.
Hope UNI can make it interesting and rep the MVC tonight! Keep playing loose and with house $$ Panthers!
 
LittleBrave said:
I know we're all itching to get some news about who's staying/going. I would imagine by tomorrow we'll hear something about someone.
Nice to have NCAA tourney games galore this weekend before it's down to all power schools in the Sweet 16 (likely), but still thinking about BU hoops future through it all.
Hope UNI can make it interesting and rep the MVC tonight! Keep playing loose and with house $$ Panthers!
Click to expand...
UNI down 16-2.
 
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