What we have seen

[Stryker]

Congratulations to Braves! This team has reignited my love for CBB over the past 2.5 years. It has been a joy!

I am making this thread so we can all point out things we have learned about this team, and provide praise where it is due. Below are mine:

1) Brown was clutch when he needed to be. I was hard on him this year as his efficiency went down, but he proved me wrong and is the MVP in St. Louis by far.

2) Eli might be the largest factor on the floor all game, with Brown right behind him. This team is different with Eli on the floor. It is especially noticeable on the defensive side. If Brown hadn't made so many baskets and Eli hadn't been in foul trouble one game, Eli would be MVP.

3) Ville was a great player off the bench and has been a great player all conference season. He average over 9 pts in St. Louis and made a lot of big threes.

4) Koch Bar was great defensively, especially against Drake. Every champ needs their seniors to step up and he sure did.

5) Wardle. I thought he coached great this weekend and I have been impressed with him all year. I am praying we get at least one more year from him. Odds are high he is lured away sooner than later.

Overall I am just psyched, BU is on the map and it feels oh so good again.

[InMnBob1]

I agree about keeping Wardle. But he deserves a big deal

[patrick_o'brian]

What we have seen, not many have. Back to Back NCAA appearances. No one has EVER seen Bradley win Back to Back MVC Tournaments. Coach Wardle is smart. He knows his phone is going to be ringing in April. Chris Reynolds should know that too and should be ringing phones himself to get some donations to keep him here.

BRAVES ARE DANCING AGAIN!!!

[Big Mike]

Wow...it really happened today and it feels great! Bradley might have to have a sit down with Coach Wardle after the season and up his pay to keep him because you know they will come calling now with big $$$. Wardle also did some good coaching by going small and then going zone, changed the game! My thoughts.....

1. I think the future looks bright with Ville and Boya stepping up their games on a big stage under major pressure!
2. Bradley looked great on national TV and should be able to open the eyes of some of their recruits with 2 left.
3. Brown, Kennell and Bar all came thru as Srs when needed most!
4. Better news is Child's could be the top returning player in the Valley next season plus has valued leadership skills!
5. Henry has proven there a match-up problem down low and is getting better!
6. Best news yet is the NCAA tourney.....lets get a couple W's this year, we can play big or small!

[BUfan17]

When was the last time Bradley had a coach "hired away"? Has it ever happened? I'm sure he will have some bigger schools calling now with back to back tournament appearances. I really hope we can keep him for at least another year, I think next year we can be even better.

[Bravesfanchicago]

Jim Les had two bigger school active after him in 2006 but he chose to stay with a new BU contract and for some family reasons.

[Tommy]

We were fortunate enough to sit by, meet, and speak with Ja’Shon’s mom and best friend and learned an interesting fact. Apparently he was planning on going to Loyola but they didn’t get back to him in a timely fashion, so he opted for BU instead!
How much do you think they regret that!

On another note, our seniors really showed up in this tournament and Koch’s performance against Drake was unbelievable and really carried us in that game.
Literally everyone had key plays in this tournament and they really showed what it means to be a ‘team’.

The MVP chant for DB was just awesome, and you could see how much it meant to him. Wardle pointing at the fans near the end of the game to thank us all was just classic.

First rate team, first rate Coach, first rate AD, and first rate fans (especially our forum family)! We’ve been here through the good times and the bad, and we all love our Braves! Happy to have you all here to keep the discussions going.

Lastly, nice to see Coach and Bradley3342 again. Always fun talking Bradley Basketball with you guys. Let’s go win the next tourney now!

[Tommy]

Best news yet is the NCAA tourney.....lets get a couple W's this year, we can play big or small!

Forget a couple. Let’s win the whole darn thing!!!!

[Dub]

We are in basketball heaven. Sustained success over multiple seasons is the hardest thing to do, but also the most gratifying.
cant help but wonder if we might get a little more seeding respect this year based on the return appearance and largely having the same team that performed well last year in the dance.... and the MVC being on the uptick. Maybe a long shot, but let’s see.

[OhRotanes]

Ive seen anywhere from 13-15 seed for Bradley. But still obviously depends on who else gets in

[Bradley3342]

Hey Tommy. It was so good to see you on Friday and then again on Saturday and you also introducing me to Dubs! What an amazing weekend it has been! The camaraderie between all of us Bradley fans was amazing! Let’s keep this Cinderella story going full steam ahead!!

[Tommy]

Hey Tommy. It was so good to see you on Friday and then again on Saturday and you also introducing me to Dubs! What an amazing weekend it has been! The camaraderie between all of us Bradley fans was amazing! Let’s keep this Cinderella story going full steam ahead!!

Haha! Right on, my friend! We’re going to hang on for some quality time next time, my friend!
Let me know if you’re going to the tourney and we’ll have to figure something out! If not, we’ve got next year’s Arch Madness!

[Tommy]

FYI - I can’t sleep!

[Dub]

Hey Tommy. It was so good to see you on Friday and then again on Saturday and you also introducing me to Dubs! What an amazing weekend it has been! The camaraderie between all of us Bradley fans was amazing! Let’s keep this Cinderella story going full steam ahead!!

3342 nice to meet you. It is fun having the camaraderie and sharing this passion with good people. We should do an informal meetup sometime like a pregame or pre selection party or the like someday.

[algotrader]

No way Wardle leaves. I just don't see it anytime soon. We just extended his contract last year. Not only that, but he has 0 total NCAA tournament wins.

Unless Da Coach has some sort of inside info, lets chill on that talk because there is no basis for it.

I'm not opposed to doing what is necessary when the time comes to keep him around. I'd rather see Bradley pay up and let Wardle build Bradley into what it used to be. Than for Bradley to permanently just be a stepping stone where once we get good, we lose our coach.