Final score: Bradley 71 Northern Iowa 69

[Da Coach]

Bradley (2-5) vs. UNI (2-3)- Wednesday, Dec. 1, 7 pm - the game is on ESPN+

ESPN+ link- https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/...meId=401367275
Live stats- https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Chat room- www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans

UNI started the season by losing 3 of their first four game- losing to Nicholls State and Vermont at home, and Arkansas on the road. Their only win in the first four games was a home win over D3 Dubuque. Then after a 10 day layoff, they won this past Saturday at #16 ranked St. Bonaventure, their first D1 win, to improve to 2-3.
Schedule/results- https://unipanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Their leading scorer is A.J. Green with 15.8 ppg. And as usual, they shoot the 3-pointer well as a team (39.0%).
UNI returns virtually everyone of significance from last year's team. Their player rotation is mostly the same, except now that A.J. Green is back, Bowen Born, last year's MVC Freshman of the Year, now comes off the bench. Last year Born became a regular starter after Green went down with his injury.
UNI does have 4 true-freshmen on their roster, 3 scholarship freshmen and a walk-on. Coach Ben Jacobson has said he is planning on redshirting the three scholarship freshmen (Landon Wolf, Michael Duax, and Chase Courbat), and none have appeared in any games, so far. The walkon freshman, Drew Daniel, played 8 minutes in their 37-point win over Dubuque.
UNI Stats- https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit...1/pdf/cume.pdf
Roster- https://unipanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Last season, both games against UNI were in Cedar Falls. UNI won the first game 78-72, and Bradley won the second game 75-73. UNI played both games without A.J. Green, who missed nearly the entire season with a hip injury and surgery.

Bradley stats- https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit...1/pdf/cume.pdf

[Tommy]

This will be a tough game to start conference play, so let's hope our 3 point defense shows up! This will give us a good idea of where we're at defensively, and it will be interesting to see how they try to guard Green.

[Da Coach]

This would be a good game to throw a press at UNI. As good as Green is, he is not an elite ballhandler nor passer (2.2 assists/game this season, 2.6 apg for career, and more turnovers than assists). Maybe a press could generate some turnovers or at least disrupt their offense and get the ball out of Green's hands more. It seems Wardle doesn't like to press, since we have rarely seen it in his time at Bradley. But there were a couple possessions in the Maine game when Bradley went to a full court defense and it caused at least one turnover.

[Tommy]

This would be a good game to throw a press at UNI. As good as Green is, he is not an elite ballhandler nor passer (2.2 assists/game this season, 2.6 apg for career, and more turnovers than assists). Maybe a press could generate some turnovers or at least disrupt their offense and get the ball out of Green's hands more. It seems Wardle doesn't like to press, since we have rarely seen it in his time at Bradley. But there were a couple possessions in the Maine game when Bradley went to a full court defense and it caused at least one turnover.

I like the way you're thinking, and this team seems longer and quicker than what we've had. I think they would be very good at pressing.

[Bradley3342]

This would be a good game to throw a press at UNI. As good as Green is, he is not an elite ballhandler nor passer (2.2 assists/game this season, 2.6 apg for career, and more turnovers than assists). Maybe a press could generate some turnovers or at least disrupt their offense and get the ball out of Green's hands more. It seems Wardle doesn't like to press, since we have rarely seen it in his time at Bradley. But there were a couple possessions in the Maine game when Bradley went to a full court defense and it caused at least one turnover.

I’m not sure why Wardle doesn’t like to press more also but I agree it could definitely shake things up a little bit. I also believe they have the quickness to do so also.

[Dub]

I'd try to take away as much of the perimeter as humanly possible and make them score inside. Rebound like wild men and be physical with Green. What happens on our end of the floor though matters a lot.

Regardless, I like where I think our team can end up at the end of this season, from a progression standpoint.

[BUSongwriter]

I worry about being sunk by a 3-point barrage, and I hope the Braves prove me wrong. As far as I'm concerned, our early games were exhibition and the season starts tonight. Go Braves!

[Tommy]

I worry about being sunk by a 3-point barrage

Yes, our 3 pt. D hasn't been very good the last couple of years, so that is definitely a concern going into a game with AJ Green involved. I do think if we can make shots like we did against Maine, there won't be many games we won't have a chance to win, though expecting that type of shooting all the time is not realistic. You can call me a dreamer.

[Dub]

... call me a dreamer.

Ok John. But you're not the only one.

[bigjimmy]

Just can’t afford to get off to another slow start on offense or it’ll be an uphill battle. Have to take better care of the ball. On defense we need to be physical without fouling. UNI is usually a good Free Throw shooting team. And Green seems to have woken from his early season shooting slump so we better be aware of where he is at all times. Let’s send a message to the rest of the Mo Valley tonight boys that we’re not to be messed with! GET ER DONE!

[braves16]

SIU up 15 at half.

[Big Mike]

Wow....Big win by the Braves tonight. Good job by all!
That's how you start out the Valley season!

[Da Coach]

Exciting finish! Great game and terrific performances by Terry Roberts, Ville, Hickman, Howell, and others
Bradley 71 UNI 69

https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/media

[Da Coach]

Overcame a great game by Green- 30 points.

And a terrific job by our coaches with player subs and calling plays.

[BUfan17]

This team actually looks pretty good when the shots are falling. Small mistakes are still being made but nice to come away with the win. It seems like Wardle is starting to figure out when to play certain guys. The team is finally playing with some fire and excitement.