MUST win....

[dogsrus]

I always like the debate on if a game is or isn't......tonite vs Butler. Must win?

[Da Coach]

It's a must-win if there is any chance of an at-large bid. Because of Bradley's strength of schedule, the losses to Florida and Mich. State, don't hurt us too much. But we have to win the home games.

[thefish7]

I think it's a must win. Need to come out of the non-con schedule 8-3, so this and the rest of the non-con games have to be must wins.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Home games are always must wins

[TheHeemyMonster]

I believe there is as good as chance as ever to do undefeated at home this year seeing how down the valley is. This actually might be our toughest home game of the year

[Out of Bounce]

Home games are always must wins

I'll agree with that Must win at home

[Chico]

BU will win tonight, book it.

[Bradleyguy10]

Would've been nice to get a Florida or Michigan St. win to counteract the embarrassment/detriment the UMKC game gave us. We NEED to have one quality win out of nonconference schedule....and we NEED to go undefeated at home this season. The fans NEED this game to know if we are a good team or not.

Must win.

[squirrel]

I believe there is as good as chance as ever to do undefeated at home this year seeing how down the valley is. This actually might be our toughest home game of the year

It's a feat JL has yet to accomplish: an unbeaten home slate.

[Bravesfan]

It's a must-win if there is any chance of an at-large bid. Because of Bradley's strength of schedule, the losses to Florida and Mich. State, don't hurt us too much. But we have to win the home games.

Coach, I think we are two of the few who think Bradley can still snag an at-large bid, if needed. I think a Butler win would be a win of great quality, especially if they finish better than expected this year.

And yes, this is a must win home game.

[houstontxbrave]

As I have said this game and the UWM game will say alot about this team.

We start off the conference season with a brutal stretch so winning all of our remaining non conference games is manditory.

[2bradleyfans]

UMKC visits WIU in a few weeks (Jan 2nd at 7:00). That might be an interresting game. Would be insult to injury if lowly WIU beats UMKC.

[mportsch]

A win tonight would be huge, as it would likely set up an 8-3 record going into MVC play and would give the Braves a much-needed marquee win for the resume.

According to RPIforecast.com, Bradley needs 19 wins to finish with a top 50-ish RPI, so an MVC mark of 11-7 would then be necessary to get the Braves into bubble consideration. That seems doable if Warren is able to come back before too long.

A loss tonight basically slams the door on an at-large bid, barring a 1st place finish in the MVC, as Bradley would have no top-50 nonconference wins on the resume (pending the Bracketbuster game).

[cpacmel]

According to RPIforecast.com, Bradley needs 19 wins to finish with a top 50-ish RPI, so an MVC mark of 11-7 would then be necessary to get the Braves into bubble consideration. That seems doable if Warren is able to come back before too long.

That's a very interesting site mportsch. They have forcasted (projected) the Valley here. I should warn some though, part of their predictions are based off of Sagarin's work. ( and some here think he is a hack )

http://www.rpiforecast.com/confs/MVC.html

Creighton 22-7 (13-5)

Illinois State 22-7 (11-7)

Mo State 18-11 (10 wins 8 losses)
SIU 14-14 (10 wins 8 losses)

Drake 16-12 (9-9)
Evansville 15-11 (9-9)
WSU 14-14 (9-9)

Bradley 14-14 (8-10)

UNI 11-17 (6-12)

Indy State 6-22 (4-14) 6-22

[BU ICEMAN]

Um, can some people here share what they're smoking? Must be some gooooood stuff!

At this point in time, I can't see there's any realistic/plausible way to overcome the UMKC loss, barring a win in the MVC Championship, which would give us the auto-bid. I think an at-large is virtually out of the picture. 11-7 ain't gonna do it; I think we'd pretty much have to run the table in conference just to develop some sort of buzz, and I think it's safe to say that there's nobody here that thinks that there's a realistic chance of that happening.

I have a hard time thinking that a win over Butler washes us clean of the UMKC sin. I agree that a loss tonight completely shuts the door, since there's no marquee win out of conference; don't think we can count on getting a big enough matchup in the Bracket Buster, either.

I know it's not the rosy outlook, just calling it as I see it......