Next game- Indiana State at Bradley- Sat. 1/24 6:05 pm

[Da Coach]

Note the different start time- 6:05 pm on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Carver Arena.
Indiana State (2-6, 4-15, tied for last in MVC) plays Bradley (5-3, 11-8, tied 2nd place in MVC) on Saturday at 6:05 pm. The start time is moved up to 6:05 pm to accomodate the MVC-TV Network broadcast.
The MVC-TV games are usually carried by FoxSportsMidwest, cable channel 57 on Comcast.

This weekend is Alumni Weekend. In addition, there is a promotion for Saturday's game called Throwback Night.
The Bradley team will wear old-style uniforms, reminicent of those worn in Jim Les' era at Bradley, the 1980's.
Every fan will also receive a free Throwback T-Shirt.
Here is the release about the promotion from Bradley:

Promotion-
Jan. 24 Indiana State 6:05 pm
Throwback Night: Everyone in attendance will receive a Bradley Basketball “Throwback” t-shirt, sponsored by Maui Jim, Methodist and Country Inn & Suites, and the Braves will wear special “Throwback” uniforms.


Injury notes- Bradley remains without 2 of their starters as Indiana native Andrew Warren, and Will Egolf are both redshirting.

Junior guard Harry Marshall, Indiana State's best player, suffered a hamstring injury back on Jan. 10, and missed the Jan. 13 game against Bradley in Terre Haute. Bradley won that game 63-52.
He is likely to play Saturday. He returned to action last night in Indiana State's home game against SIU, but he was not 100%. He played 27 minutes and scored 9 points, but was 0-3 from three.
Marshall remains the Sycamores' leading scorer with 13.4 ppg.


Indiana State basketball site-

http://www.gosycamores.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&KEY=&SPID=7259&SPSID=65149

Indiana State stats-

http://www.gosycamores.com/fls/15200//statistics/0809-mbb/Season%20Stats.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=15200&KEY=&SPID=7259&SPSID=65153

Bradley stats-

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=19334&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=1626619

Indiana State fan message boards-

http://members.boardhost.com/isuhoopforum/

http://www.sycamorehoops.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

[BUBraves04]

Does anyone know if they will be auctioning off the player's jersey's from Saturday's game?

[Grassman]

Bradleyvs. Indy State

Are they gonna be really short shorts??

That would be a 'Kodak Moment!"

[BI_Brave_alum]

Are they gonna be really short shorts??

i thought about that when i first heard this promotion. are they going to bring back Brad E. Lee?

[jasonpeoria911]

Lakers throwback night 2 years ago, hehehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnjXsXLotfU

Jason

[SaintLouBrave22]

i thought about that when i first heard this promotion. are they going to bring back Brad E. Lee?

Yes, and then why not bring back smoking in the arena, concession prices, and everything else from the 80's...

Nickel beer night anyone

[jeffsu]

Yes, and then why not bring back smoking in the arena, concession prices, and everything else from the 80's...

Nickel beer night anyone

Works for me!

[Da Coach]

Does anyone know if they will be auctioning off the player's jersey's from Saturday's game?

I heard this rumor, but have not seen any official information about it. If we can find out, we'll let everyone know about it.

[BUBraves04]

Works for me!

You bet! I hear the Athletics Department may have a few other surprises for Saturday's throwback game!

[BUBraves2006]

Back to the game ...

This as well as the Wichita game are must wins if Bradley even wants to sniff the top 3 in the league. We've already beat both teams on the road and losing at home would be inexcusable.

[BUBraves04]

Back to the game ...

This as well as the Wichita game are must wins if Bradley even wants to sniff the top 3 in the league. We've already beat both teams on the road and losing at home would be inexcusable.

I agree...I think we'll come out strong on Saturday night. Does anyone know if Harry Marshall will see any gametime?

[Da Coach]

He was cleared to play Wednesday night against SIU, right before the game. Marshall played 27 minutes, was just 2-8 shooting, had only 9 points and was described by Coach McKenna as "not 100%".

But he didn't sustain any setbacks, so I would expect him to play tomorrow, though he might still not be 100%.

[Da Coach]

Here are pregame notes from BradleyBraves.com

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=25965&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=3652702

Bradley to Host Indiana State on Throwback Night

Game 20 ??? Indiana State (4-15) at Bradley (11-8 ) ??? Jan. 24, 2009 ??? 6:05 p.m. ??? Peoria, Ill. ??? Carver Arena

Bradley Hosts Indiana State for First ???Throwback??? Night

PEORIA, Ill. ??“ Having completed the only three-game conference road trip for any team in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, Bradley (11-8, 5-3 MVC) returns home to Carver Arena for three of its next four games, beginning with a Saturday night tip against Indiana State (4-15, 2-6 MVC). The Braves enter the final game of the first half of the league season involved in a three-way tie for second place in The Valley standings. Saturday??™s 6:05 p.m. game will be televised on the MVC-TV Network and will feature a special ???Throwback??? promotion.

Game Information
TV: MVC-TV (Scott Warmann and Bob Harstad) ??“ FS Midwest, FS Indiana, FS Kansas City, Comcast SportsNet Chicago and Metro Sports in Kansas City
Radio: 1470 WMBD (Dave Snell, Chuck Buescher and Joe Stowell)
Video Stream: Unavailable due to television contract
Live Stats: BradleyBraves.com
Tickets: Available $4-20
Series: Bradley leads 46-24
Last: Bradley, 63-52, Jan. 13 at Indiana State

Bradley Braves
2008-09 Record: 11-8
Missouri Valley: 5-3
Head Coach: Jim Les (Bradley ??™86)
Career: 116-98 (7th year)
at Bradley: Same
Website: www.BradleyBraves.com

Indiana State Sycamores
2008-09 Record: 4-15
Missouri Valley: 2-6
Head Coach: Kevin McKenna (Creighton ??™93)
Career: 108-64 (6th year)
at ISU: 19-31 (2nd year)
Website: www.gosycamores.com

Starting Five
??? Having played more games away from home (11) than any team in The Valley so far this season, and on the heels of completing the league??™s only three-game conference road swing of the season, Bradley returns to Carver Arena to host Indiana State in its first ???Throwback Night.???
??? The Braves will wear 1985-86 replica jerseys, all fans will receive a free t-shirt modeled after the jerseys and a limited number of tickets are available for $4.
??? Bradley has a chance to complete the first half of the league season with six wins for the first time since the 2000-01 Braves played the first half with a 6-3 record.
??? Bradley is trying to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season.
??? The two teams med just 12 days ago and the Braves used a 63-52 win Jan. 13 at Indiana State to improve to 46-24 all-time against the Sycamores.

105th Season
??? Now in its 105th men??™s basketball season, Bradley ranks 26th in NCAA Division I history with 1,527 wins.
??? Bradley played its first men??™s basketball game Jan. 1, 1903 defeating a YMCA program known as the Invincibles, 12-8.

Postseason Streak
??? The Braves are attempting to reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive season, a streak the program has not enjoyed since 1994-97.
??? In addition, Bradley has won at least one postseason game in each of the last three years, an accomplishment only previously achieved from 1949-51.

Three Is The Key
??? Due in large part to the loss of all-star big men Patrick O??™Bryant (early entry NBA lottery pick) and Marcellus Sommerville (graduation) following the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 season, head coach Jim Les installed a ???spread motion??? offense modeled after the Phoenix Suns??™ system in 2006-07.
??? Bradley has recruited to the system for three years and has assembled an athletic, skilled lineup that continues to fit with the uptempo style of play.
??? The system often utilizes a four-guard attack and has helped Bradley rank fifth nationally with 803 3-pointers the last three years and finish among the two highest-scoring teams in The Valley the last two years.
??? More notably, Bradley has won at least 21 games three consecutive seasons and is tied for eighth nationally with seven postseason wins the last three years.

New-Look Braves
??? While returning seven lettermen from the 2007-08 squad, Bradley is working six newcomers and a redshirt freshman into the lineup this season.
??? Bradley entered the season with only two scholarship players boasting more than one year of experience in the program -- fifth-year senior center Sam Singh and junior guard Andrew Warren, both of whom have missed games this season due to injury.

Unique Staff Makeup
??? Bradley??™s coaching staff is believed to be one of just two in the country to boast two staff members with NCAA Tournament head coaching victories.
??? Seventh-year head coach Jim Les led the Braves to the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, while second-year Bradley assistant Steve Merfeld coached Hampton to the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament.
??? North Carolina assistant Steve Robinson led Tulsa (1997) and Florida State (1998 ) to NCAA Tourney wins.

Graduate Players
??? For the fourth consecutive year, Bradley??™s roster features a player who already owns his degree.
??? Fifth-year senior center Sam Singh received his bachelor??™s degree in communications-public relations during commencement ceremonies May 17, 2008.
??? Previously, Brandyn Heemskerk (???05), Danny Adams (???06) and Daniel Ruffin (???07) all earned their degrees before completing their eligibility the following season.

Winning In The Valley
??? Bradley is third in The Valley with 76 victories the last four years, just three behind leader Creighton.
??? Bradley is the only Valley squad to win at least 21 games each of the previous three seasons.

Injury Bug Bites Again
??? For the third consecutive year, the injury bug has taken a big bite out of the Bradley lineup.
??? Junior guard Andrew Warren, the team??™s top returning scorer (13.2 ppg in 2007-08 ), will not play this season due to a stress fracture in his right foot.
??? Sophomore center Will Egolf, who was making his third career start, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee with 10:02 remaining Nov. 29 versus East Tennessee State and underwent season-ending surgery Dec. 18.
??? Senior center Sam Singh suffered a broken nose Dec. 14 and missed the next two games after undergoing corrective surgery Dec. 17.
??? The injury losses left the Braves with just three returning scholarship players during Singh??™s absence and Singh is now the only scholarship player with more than one full season of experience in the program.

Newcomer Impact
??? With junior guard Andrew Warren (foot) and sophomore forward Will Egolf (knee) unavailable, Bradley??™s rotation now features six newcomers and four returning players.
??? The six newcomers -- Dodie Dunson (28.1 mpg), Chris Roberts (26.3), Eddren McCain (23.7), Darian Norris (12.3), Taylor Brown (11.8 ) and Anthony Thompson (5.1) -- have combined for 1970 of the team??™s 3800 total minutes played.
??? The six rookies also combine to average 33.6 points per game, compared to 31.8 ppg by the four returning players in the current rotation.

Scoring In Threes
??? Bradley is fifth nationally with 803 total treys since the start of 2006-07.
??? Bradley became the first-ever Missouri Valley Conference team to make as many as 300 3-pointers in a season with 349 during the 2006-07 season and the Braves followed with 346 more last season.

Scoring Big
??? A player standing no taller than 6-foot-5 has led Bradley in scoring in 71 consecutive games, a streak dating back to Jan. 20, 2007 when 6-foot-8 Zach Andrews paced the Braves with 21 points versus Wichita State.

Good Omen From 4-0 Start
??? Bradley started 4-0 in the Valley race for the ninth time in its 57th year of league membership.
??? The Braves have gone on to finish at least second in the league standings in seven of the previous eight years they have started at least 4-0.
??? Bradley also has played in either the NCAA Tournament or NIT in six of those eight years.


About Indiana State
??? Under the direction of second-year head coach Kevin McKenna, a one-time Peoria resident as a youth, Indiana State returned five lettermen, including three starters, from last year??™s team that finished 15-16 overall and tied for seventh in The Valley with an 8-10 league record.
??? The Sycamores are last in the league in scoring offense (60.5 ppg) and have compounded the lack of scoring by allowing a league-high 69.7 points per game.
??? In addition to ranking 1)th in scoring margin (-9.2), the Sycamores also are last in The Valley in field goal percentage (.392), rebounds allowed (35.7), assists per game (11.2), turnover margin (-2.95) and assists-to-turnover ratio (0.7).
??? They Sycamores have played 10 games, however, without scoring leader and point guard Harry Marshall.

Bradley-Indiana State Series
??? Saturday??™s game will be the 71st meeting in the all-time series between Bradley and Indiana State, which began with a pair of non-conference wins for the Braves Dec. 28, 1968 (86-63) and Dec. 10, 1969 (74-73) at Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse.
??? The teams did not meet again until Indiana State joined The Valley for the 1977-78 season.
??? Bradley owns a 46-24 lead in the all-time series, including a 63-52 win Jan. 13 in Terre Haute.
??? Bradley is 28-6 all-time at home against the Sycamores, including 22-4 at Carver Arena, where the Braves have won 10 straight in the series.
??? Seventh-year Bradley head coach Jim Les owns a 10-4 record against Indiana State, equalling his best record against any Valley opponent (Illinois State).

Recapping The First Meeting
Bradley 63, ISU 52 ??? Jan. 13 ??? Terre Haute, Ind.
??? Playing just 12 days ago, Bradley earned its third consecutive Valley road win by earning a 63-52 win Jan. 13 at Indiana State.
??? Bradley??™s defense limited Indiana State to just one field goal in the last 8+ minutes of both halves.
??? In the first half, Bradley pulled away slightly from an 18-16 lead for a 28-22 advantage by limiting the Sycamores to one field goal in the final 8:38 of the half.
??? In the second half, the Braves held a 46-44 lead with 8:05 left, but limited the Sycamores to one field goal the rest of the way to close on a 17-8 surge.
??? Bradley limited Indiana State to 34.0 percent shooting from the field and just three second-chance points.
??? Junior guard Dodie Dunson came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points.
??? Box score on page 30 of this pregame notes packet.

Carver Arena - Home of the Braves
??? The Peoria Civic Center??™s Carver Arena has served as the Bradley men??™s basketball program??™s home arena since the start of the 1982-83 season.
??? Now in its 27th year playing in downtown Peoria, Bradley will enter Saturday??™s game versus Indiana State with a 290-93 (.757) record at Carver Arena.
??? The Braves own a 162-63 (.720) Valley record at Carver Arena.
??? The Braves are 6-2 at home so far this year.

Road Warriors
??? Bradley has played nine true road games and 11 total games away from home so far this season.
??? Both numbers are the most by any Valley team so far this year.
??? Bradley already has played five of its first eight Valley games on the road, meaning the Braves will play six of their last 10 league games at home.


Now For A Home Run
??? Having played five of its last seven games on the road, Bradley will play three of its next four at home and will not leave Central Illinois until its Feb. 7 trip to Drake.

A New 70??™s Streak
??? Prior to the last two games, Bradley had been 11-0 this season and had won 16 straight when holding the opposition to fewer than 70 points.
??? In back-to-back games, however, Bradley has suffered a 68-62 loss Sunday at Southern Illinois and a 66-61 setback Wednesday at UNI.

Getting Defensive
??? Bradley??™s 6-3 record in the last nine games coincides with the team??™s improved defensive play.
??? In the last nine games, Bradley has allowed only one opponent (Creighton, 73) to score better than 70 points and the Braves have held five of the nine opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.

Changing Gears
??? Bradley entered the season as one of the nation??™s most proficient 3-point shooting teams the last two years and the Braves still rank fifth nationally with 803 3-pointers since the start of the 2006-07 campaign.
??? During a 5-5 start to the season, the Braves were averaging 21.3 3-point field goal attempts per game, but were shooting just 28.6 percent from behind the arc.
??? During the last nine games, however, the Braves have become more selective with their long range shooting, averaging only 14.9 3-point attempts per game, but are connecting on 35.1 percent of those tries.
Bradley??™s 3-Point Shooting Breakdown
1st 10 Last 9Record 5-5 6-33FGA/gm 21.3 14.93FGM/gm 6.1 5.23FG% .286 .351FG% .412 .463
Winning The Close Games
??? While eight of Bradley??™s first 19 games have been decided by double-digit margins, the Braves are 6-2 in games decided by six points or less.
??? In the last six seasons, Bradley is 36-20 (.643) in games decided by six points or less.

Free Throw Differential
??? Bradley enters Wednesday??™s game second in The Valley by averaging 23.1 free throw attempts per game.
??? Through the first 17 games, the Braves had outscored the opposition by 54 points from the stripe, but Bradley has been outscored by 26 points at the line in the last two games at Southern Illinois (-14) and UNI (-12).
??? Bradley is 6-0 this year when it makes at least six more free throws than its opponent.

Leading The Parade To The Line
??? Senior forward Theron Wilson continues to lead the parade to the line.
??? After easily pacing the Braves with 179 free throw attempts last season (4.8 FTA/gm), Wilson already has attempted 136 charity shots in the first 19 games (7.2 FTA/gm).
??? Wilson is on pace to attempt 222 free throws this season, which would be the most since Hersey Hawkins set the single-season school record with 335 free throw attempts in 1987-88.
??? Wilson already has been fouled 124 times in 19 games, drawing better than 31 percent of the total fouls (394) committed against the Braves.

Wilson??™s Dozens
??? Senior forward Theron Wilson has scored at least 12 points in 17 of Bradley??™s first 19 games, including a streak of 16 in a row that was snapped with his first career scoreless performance Wednesday at UNI.
??? His streak of 16 consecutive double-digit scoring games was the longest run in The Valley this season.

Dunson Leads The Bench Brigade
??? A starter in fewer than half of Bradley??™s games this season (9-of-19), junior guard Dodie Dunson has provided a lift off the bench this year.
??? The team??™s second-leading scorer, Dunson also is second among all Valley reserves in scoring at 11.5 ppg.
MVC Bench Scoring Leaders
GP-GS PPGDodie Dunson, Bradley 19-9 11.5Josh Parker, Drake 20-1 11.1Cavel Witter, Creighton 20-2 10.0Kyle Weems, Missouri State 19-8 8.9J.T. Durley, Wichita State 19-7 7.3


Future Braves
??? Bradley signed a pair of 6-foot-8 high school players during the Early Signing Period Nov. 12.
Milos Knezevic, Henderson, Nev., Liberty H.S.
??? Averaging 19.7 ppg and 9.5 rpg through 12 games.
??? Averaged 14 ppg and 8 rpg as a junior
??? Friends with Bradley guard Darian Norris, a freshman from Las Vegas Mojave High School.
Jordan Prosser, Eureka, Ill., Eureka H.S.
??? First-team all-state in 2007-08 (Illinois 2A).
??? Averaging 22.3 ppg and 13.1 rpg through 14 games.
??? Averaged 19.5 ppg and 11.7 rpg as a junior.
??? Recently became the all-time leading scorer in Eureka boys basketball history.

Big Media Numbers
??? Now in his 30th year as the radio Voice of the Braves, Dave Snell has participated in 904 Bradley Basketball game broadcasts, all in succession, on WMBD AM 1470 since taking over play-by-play duties for the 1979-80 season.
??? Snell??™s longtime radio sidekick, Joe Stowell has been witness to 1,514 Bradley Basketball games in his various roles as player (103, 1947-50); assistant coach (250, 1956-65); head coach (344, 1965-78 ); assistant athletic director (107, 1978-85); and radio analyst (710, 1985-present).
??? Peoria Journal Star beat writer Dave Reynolds has covered 568 Bradley Basketball games, all in succession, since taking over the beat for the start of the 1990-91 season.

Upcoming Promotions
Jan. 24 Indiana State 6:05 pm
Throwback Night: Everyone in attendance will receive a Bradley Basketball ???Throwback??? t-shirt, sponsored by Maui Jim, Methodist and Country Inn & Suites, and the Braves will wear special replica 1985-86 jerseys. In addition, upper bowl (Priority IV) tickets are available for the 1985-86 cost of $4.

Jan. 28 Wichita State 7:05 pm
Associated Bank Ice Scraper Night: The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive an Associated Bank Ice Scraper.

[ph]

Nickel beer night anyone

If they did that, you could use your spare dime as a coaster

[Big Mike]

INS @ BU pjs....

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1589173249/Different-teams-in-rematch-with-Indiana-State

Preview capsule...DR picks the Braves!

http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x1589173240/Preview-capsule-Indiana-State-at-Bradley

PS....cannot wait to see the 85 throwback unis!