Final score: Bradley 70 SIU 62

[Da Coach]

Connor Hickman was credited with 1 assist tonight, but it was a pretty impressive one.
Here it is-

[Bradley3342]

Nice win for the Braves. Mast is really figuring it out inside and out. Great hands and such a soft touch. What a game for Roberts also. 18 points,6 rebounds,7 assist and 3 blocks. We could possibly be looking at 2 first team all Valley players if they keep playing like this and we finish strong in league down the stretch….

[Bradley3342]

Does anyone know if Rienks dad was at the game tonight? Came in at halftime and sat next to my wife. About the same height as Rienk, blonde hair and talked with a foreign accent when he asked us if anyone was sitting in those seats..Seems unlikely though…

[braves16]

https://thesouthern.com/sports/siu-mens-basketball-salukis-get-off-to-a-slow-start-fall-70-62-at-bradley/article_58d960aa-d250-5c60-ab32-91d40d713daf.html#tracking-source=most-popular-sports

[Da Coach]

Does anyone know if Rienks dad was at the game tonight? Came in at halftime and sat next to my wife. About the same height as Rienk, blonde hair and talked with a foreign accent when he asked us if anyone was sitting in those seats..Seems unlikely though…

I don't really know for sure. His family came with him on his recruiting visit 3 years ago and sat 2 rows in front of where I sit. Players' families usually sit in the seats behind the bench. My seats are near that area, and I didn't see anyone last night that looked like his family, but after 3 years, I don't remember what they looked like.

Did everyone hear Coach Wardle's story about Rienk on the postgame show?
Midway through the 2nd half, Rienk made a nice left-handed hook shot in the lane, about 10 feet away from the basket. It was the first time I'd seen him shoot that shot. Immediately, as he turned to run back down the court, he looked right at Coach Wardle for an instant and had a big smile on his face.
Here is the video-
https://twitter.com/bradleyumbb/stat...77181076234245

Dave Snell and Chad Kleine asked him what that look and smile was about, and Wardle said Rienk has been working on that hook shot in practices, and asked Wardle if he could try it in a game. Wardle said he first told Rienk not to try it since it wasn't a move he had shown he can make consistently. But Rienk told him, "Coach, I am sure I can make it". Coach said he then told Rienk, "if you shoot that shot, you'd better make it".
So with a 9-point lead, he did shoot the shot and made it (with a friendly bounce off the rim), and I think he was a bit proud, and relieved, and wanted to let the coach know.

[BUfan17]

Did everyone hear Coach Wardle's story about Rienk on the postgame show?
Midway through the 2nd half, Rienk made a nice left-handed hook shot in the lane, about 10 feet away from the basket. It was the first time I'd seen him shoot that shot. Immediately, as he turned to run back down the court, he looked right at Coach Wardle for an instant and had a big smile on his face.
Here is the video-
https://twitter.com/bradleyumbb/stat...77181076234245

Dave Snell and Chad Kleine asked him what that look and smile was about, and Wardle said Rienk has been working on that hook shot in practices, and asked Wardle if he could try it in a game. Wardle said he first told Rienk not to try it since it wasn't a move he had shown he can make consistently. But Rienk told him, "Coach, I am sure I can make it". Coach said he then told Rienk, "if you shoot that shot, you'd better make it".
So with a 9-point lead, he did shoot the shot and made it (with a friendly bounce off the rim), and I think he was a bit proud, and relieved, and wanted to let the coach know.

I didn't catch that but great story, I love it when the players are having fun (and winning).

Rienk has been very impressive this year after somewhat of a rough start. I don't think there is any other big in the Valley I would take right now over him. He has great fundamentals in the post, but can also get out and shoot the three. I think he also had a dunk last night which got the bench very excited as I can't really remember him ever dunking in a game before. I am glad we get a couple more years out of him.

[Tommy]

Coach - that story was awesome!