Bradley at SIU Wednesday 7:35 pm

[BUBraves2006]

Now that we have gotten the ISU win out of the way as expected ... let's talk about the "REAL" biggest game of the year.

Bradley desperately needs a signature road victory if they want a shot at the NCAA tournament. It doesn't get much harder than winning at SIU, but the Braves have already taken down the Salukis once and can do it again.

This has been a season where we have overachieved big time, but if we want to have realistic hopes of making the NCAA tournament, this one we really need. Sure, if we lose, it's not over, but considering how easy the remainder of our schedule is after Wednesday, I'd feel very confident in our NCAA chances with this win.

I think it will help us a lot having Crouch this time around who has the ability to not only shoot but he's another guy who can penetrate to the basket.

Hopefully Warren will get minutes! He's one of my favorites and he's going to be a star eventually...but for now Les needs to let him have a chance to make a burst for us. He did at the end of the first half against ISU.

[ser_solace]

Everyone's going to have to be going a 100% for us to pull this one off. In Peoria, our zone defense worked well at stopping them. We just need to be able to score against their tough D. Zach will need to stay out of foul trouble and be a threat under the basket.

[MacabreMob]

Everyone's going to have to be going a 100% for us to pull this one off. In Peoria, our zone defense worked well at stopping them. We just need to be able to score against their tough D. Zach will need to stay out of foul trouble and be a threat under the basket.

In Carbondale, I suspect a lot of their shots are going to fall. It may even seem like they never miss.... it's how it can be when a team plays at home. BU sitting in a zone could be ugly for us.

I really don't know the best plan of attack.

It all comes down to making our shots. (I know I know... very profound) If we are cold - forget it. If we are hot - it's gonna be a barn-burner.

[Da Coach]

Here are some links for those interested in them--

Bradley's next game- Southern Illinois Salukis (19-5, 10-3) at Bradley Braves (16-9, 7-6) at 7:35 pm (CST) Wednesday.

The game will be on FoxSports Midwest and Comcast.

SIU basketball website--

http://siusalukis.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/silu-m-baskbl-body.html

SIU roster--

http://siusalukis.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/silu-m-baskbl-mtt.html

SIU season stats--

http://www.siuc.edu/media/MBBStats/TEAMCUME.HTM

SIU game notes (from Wichita game)--

http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/silu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release

SIU fan message board--

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewforum.php?f=1

[real fan]

I would like to see us start out in a zone as they are not the greatest 3 point shooters and it hopefully keeps the game close at the start; Falker, Tatum, and Shaw cannot score more then 40 points between them and we need to limit our turnovers to give us a chance at winning this game.

[Da Coach]

As effective as Bradley's 2-3 zone was in Peoria, you ca be sure they will play plenty of it.

[MacabreMob]

I would like to see us start out in a zone as they are not the greatest 3 point shooters and it hopefully keeps the game close at the start; Falker, Tatum, and Shaw cannot score more then 40 points between them and we need to limit our turnovers to give us a chance at winning this game.

SIU is gonna start out on fire regardless of BU's D - they are gonna be pumped (just look what ISU did against us starting 4-4 from 3 and 5-5 from the floor).

Maybe "5" (aka 2-3 Zone) will help slow the initial burst by SIU and minimize foul trouble for BU.

[MacabreMob]

Last 13 years of BU@SIU Series (with RPI)

YEAR - BU RPI - SIU RPI - WINNER RESULT

2006 - 33 - 29 - SIU 12
2005 - 142 - 16 - SIU 8
2004 - 152 - 25 - SIU 1
2003 - 192 - 34 - SIU 3
2002 - 236 - 48 - SIU 11
2001 - 96 - 120 - BU 11
2000 - 110 - 53 - SIU 13
1999 - 64 - 82 - BU 6
1998 - 138 - 156 - SIU 4
1997 - 105 - 140 - BU 6
1996 - 25 - 196 - BU 3 ot
1995 - 58 - 30 - SIU 3
1994 - 87 - 39 - SIU 6

[real fan]

The first 5 min. of the game is very important as we do no want to fall far behind as they are a hard team to play catch-up against.

[BUBraves2006]

I wonder how they've had such a huge advantage at home the past few years. I ask this because I haven't been in their arena before but from what I've seen watching many games, it doesn't appear to get extremely loud or anything...

I can't knock them for just being a very solid team year in and year out, but why SO good at home?

I pose this to people who may have been to some games there. We've been really good at home but it pales in comparison to their dominance on their home floor.

As simplistic as it sounded, I agree with the point that we simply just need to hit our shots. We are a very good team at setting screens and getting good attempts. For some reason, teams simply don't shoot that well even when left open against the Salukis...

[MDCowboy]

It's pretty simple BUBraves2006 why they are so good at home.... you usually get atleast an even shake or a little bit of the benefit of the doubt from the refs at home.

SIU's defense is all about contact and being physical on D. They know the refs can't call a foul every time down the floor, so they start to get away with bumping, grabbing, etc. If the refs start calling more fouls, the fans will get on the refs and boo and the refs will not want to call a foul on every possession... and judging from watching some SIU games, they legitimately could.

Lowery is fairly smart that way. The physical defensive style works great in the regular season. The only way to beat it is to really make your shots. But they will be contested and likely there won't be much room and will be a lot of bumping and grabbing.

This style reminds me of the Knicks from the early 90's. They know they aren't the most talented team, so they negate speed and skill advantage with physical force.

[Scouter]

SIU wins games at home becuase they're a good team. Period.

[BUBraves2006]

SIU wins games at home becuase they're a good team. Period.

Thanks Captain Obvious.

They're great but there's no reason we can't get them there.

And I really think that BU has been getting a raw shake throughout the MVC season from the refs, home and road. But, we've battled through that. I think the MVC refs are awful (on average) and need to take a page from the "bigger" conferences in actually letting teams play. They got away with a ton of that stuff in Peoria and we still beat them so there is no reason Weds. has to be any different.

[BUBravesMan]

Re: Bradley - SIU

Now that we have gotten the ISU win out of the way as expected ... let's talk about the "REAL" biggest game of the year.

I think every game will be the biggest game of the year up until that point.

That being said.. right now, the SIU game is the THE BIGGEST game of the year right now!!

Let's sweep the dogs.

[BI_Brave_alum]

Re: Bradley - SIU

Now that we have gotten the ISU win out of the way as expected ... let's talk about the "REAL" biggest game of the year.

I think every game will be the biggest game of the year up until that point.

That being said.. right now, the SIU game is the THE BIGGEST game of the year right now!!

Let's sweep the dogs.

agreed. right now i'm scared to watch the braves on Wed. considering the team that showed up vs creighton!