Final: Bradley 79 Drake 72

[Da Coach]

Bradley's next game is Saturday, Feb. 4, at 1:00 PM. Note that season tickets were printed with 2 different start times on the face of the tickets, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM; but 1:00 PM is the correct time.

The game will be streamed on ESPN3.com- http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/...ake-vs-bradley
Live stats- http://www.sidearmstats.com/bradley/mbball/
Radio- WMBD 1470 AM and 100.3 FM- http://www.1470wmbd.com/
Chat room- http://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans

Promotions-
There will be an autograph session with the 1995-96 Missouri Valley Conference Championship team. Former Bradley stars Anthony Parker and Deon Jackson will be among the former players present from the 1995-1995 team.
There will also be a halftime induction into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame for former Bradley soccer goalie Chris Dunsheath and women's golfer Meaghan LeBlanc, along with other promotions.

http://bradleybraves.com/news/2017/2/2/mens-basketball-autograph-session-with-1995-96-team-highlight-saturdays-promotions.aspx

This is the first meeting between Bradley and Drake this season, the only MVC team Bradley has not played yet. Bradley is 8-16, 3-8 and in 8th place in the MVC. Drake is 7-16, 5-6, and tied for 6th in the MVC. However, they are 6-9 under new coach Jeff Rutter, who took over after Ray Giacoletti resigned Dec. 6. Drake has lost their last 2 games, both at home, to UNI and WSU, after starting their MVC schedule 5-4. Bradley has lost their last 6 games by an average of 17 points.

Standings-

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/conferences/standings/_/id/18/year/2017/missouri-valley-conference

Drake website-

http://godrakebulldogs.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

Drake stats-

http://godrakebulldogs.com/custompages/Statistics/mbb-16-17/1617_DrakeMBKB_Stats.pdf

Bradley stats-

http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/brad.htm#team.ind

MVC stats-
Overall-

http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/confldrs.htm

MVC games-

http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/confonly.htm

[Buesch N Chips]

I don't see any reason why anyone would go. The players don't seem that interested. Why should the fans?

[Vent]

What is Drake's record since the coaching change.

[Da Coach]

What is Drake's record since the coaching change.

It's in my summary above. They were 1-7 under Giacoletti. And after losing their last 2 games, they are now 6-9 under Jeff Rutter.

[Braves2006]

I don't see any reason why anyone would go. The players don't seem that interested. Why should the fans?

AP baby! That's reason enough.... And to honor the last team to win a Valley title....and perhaps the last TO ever win a title.

[Bradleyfan1]

I'd bet on Funches being there, I hope Mo is and he never leaves. Billy Wright. What a great group. Pollard hooked me up in Auburn Hills with his all access pass. Ran into Wessler he looked at my buddy and I and said how'd you get down here. No better moment than Deons espy nominee against then southwest Missouri state. We were headed for the exit in St Louis as the ball fumbled away Deon catches turns and flips it in. To bad we lost in the Championship of arch madness.

[PTownHawkeye]

I'd bet on Funches being there, I hope Mo is and he never leaves. Billy Wright. What a great group. Pollard hooked me up in Auburn Hills with his all access pass. Ran into Wessler he looked at my buddy and I and said how'd you get down here. No better moment than Deons espy nominee against then southwest Missouri state. We were headed for the exit in St Louis as the ball fumbled away Deon catches turns and flips it in. To bad we lost in the Championship of arch madness.

The players at the pre-game luncheon today (and therefore game tomorrow) were...

Anthony Parker
Billy Wright
Aaron Zobrist
Deon Jackson
Kerry Burrell
Bayo Akinkunle
Chad Kleine
Coach Judson
Coach Donohue

Billy and AP spoke on behalf of the team. But IMO the real highlight was a video message (which they could only play the audio) of Coach Mo going through a couple stories and talking about each player...anecdotal and funny.

Clearly this team really enjoyed one another, which was emphasized in all of the speeches...they are doing dinner together tonight along with spouses/families.

[TNel]

I'd bet on Funches being there, I hope Mo is and he never leaves. Billy Wright. What a great group. Pollard hooked me up in Auburn Hills with his all access pass. Ran into Wessler he looked at my buddy and I and said how'd you get down here. No better moment than Deons espy nominee against then southwest Missouri state. We were headed for the exit in St Louis as the ball fumbled away Deon catches turns and flips it in. To bad we lost in the Championship of arch madness.

We need a Funches or two on this team.

[DeanMartin]

I don't see any reason why anyone would go. The players don't seem that interested. Why should the fans?

What a valid and great point. Bring in Versace, Mitchell JJ Anderson, David ""The Sheriff" Thirdkill, Willie "The Road Runner" Scott, Barney "Gold" Mines, Donald Reece and you will pack the place, until the ref throws the jump ball and reality sinks in that we have a bunch of impostors in our beloved BU Braves jerseys!

Outside of bringing back that group or the group with Jimmy Les, Hersey Hawkins, Mike Williams, Trevor Trimpe, etc... would be the only way to get any kind of crowd in Carver Arena.

[Da Coach]

The players at the pre-game luncheon today (and therefore game tomorrow) were...

Anthony Parker
Billy Wright
Aaron Zobrist
Deon Jackson
Kerry Burrell
Bayo Akinkunle
Chad Kleine
Coach Judson
Coach Donohue

That's great! Wish there were a few more of the others, but that is a good list of guys considering how far away many are.
Would have been great to get Coach Mo, who is an assistant coach at Nebraska.

In case people don't know, here is where the guys who are on that list are now living-
Anthony Parker is a scout for the Orlando Magic and is based in Florida.
Billy Wright is the head coach at Western Illinois University and lives in Macomb.
Aaron Zobrist still lives in Metamora and works in business locally.
Deon Jackson was living in Cincinnati, but some recent reports have him now in Chicago.
Kerry Burrell and Bayo Akinkunle live and work in Chicago.
Chad Kleine lives in Peoria and works in business locally.
Asst. Coach Rob Judson is currently an assistant coach at Indiana University.
Asst. Coach Pat Donahue left coaching after Molinari left Bradley, and has worked in business since then in the Indianapolis area.

Of the other players on that 1995-96 team, last I heard, James Baptist, Mbaukwu Nwaogwugwu, Ben Coupet, and Marcus Samuels were all still living in the Chicago area.
Dwayne Funches lives in Peoria, but travels a lot for his job, so that may be why he is not attending the game.
Gavin Schairer is living in the Milwaukee area.
Eric Roberson was listed on the Bradley roster page for the 1995-96 team as a freshman, but because of a knee injury he sustained in high school, he red-shirted and did not play that season at Bradley. Eric was from Pittsburgh, PA. I believe he is back living in the Pittsburgh area, but do not know for sure.
Asst. Coach Duane Broussard is an assistant coach at UCLA.

[tornado]

How many people still have their basketball card set from the 1995-96 season?
(as seen in my avatar)

[Bradleyfan1]

Any team could use a Funches or 2 , Ida lost that bet.

I probably have my cards.

Oh the predator, he really improved his shot and jumped the passing lane like no other. We could use him too lol

Dear Wardle show Eric Roberson tape to Jo Jo I think he is our best chance. Lol

[Da Coach]

Any team could use a Funches or 2 , Ida lost that bet...

Las Vegas has today's game as a "pick-em". It's the first time since the Chicago State game (Dec. 10), and only the 3rd time all season (Delaware and SEMO were the other 2) that Bradley has not been an underdog.

Speaking of Funches. He's got to be in his 40's by now, and this is how he looks. Too bad he isn't scheduled to be at the game and doesn't have any eligibility left.

[Da Coach]

Pregame story from BradleyBraves.com-

http://www.bubraves.com/news/2017/2/3/mens-basketball-braves-host-drake-on-hall-of-fame-day.aspx

[Da Coach]

Bradley playing great, lead 36-18 with 3:45 left in half.
Stats-

http://www.sidearmstats.com/bradley/mbball/