Final score: Bradley 71 Valparaiso 56

[Da Coach]

Bradley's next game is Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Valparaiso. The game starts at 6:00 pm (Central time zone).
It will be the first time Bradley plays against the Valparaiso Beacons since their name change.
For anyone planning on going, note that the start time is also 6 pm local time in Valparaiso, since Porter County is one of 6 Northwest Indiana counties that are in the Central Time Zone (most of Indiana is Eastern Time Zone). Also note that their website states that masks are required for all spectators.

TV- ESPN+ : https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/...meId=401367376
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=370877
Chat Room: www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans

Both teams come into this game with 2 game winning streaks, and with identical overall records.
Bradley is now 10-10, and 4-4 in the MVC after their wins at Drake last Wednesday and against SIU Saturday.
Valparaiso is 10-10, and 3-5 in the MVC, after their overtime win against UNI last Wednesday, and their road win at Indiana State Saturday. They are just 6-5 at home this season. Bradley is 2-5 in true road games this season.
Valpo Schedule/Results- https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/schedule/

Valparaiso was picked 7th in the preseason MVC poll, just behind Bradley-
https://mvc-sports.com/news/2021/10/...-favorite.aspx

Valpo website- http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/
Valpo stats- https://cdn.streamlinehosting.net/va...ats_012222.pdf

Pregame article from Valparaiso website- http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbaske...-on-wednesday/

Bradley is 7-5 all time against Valparaiso. They played 3 times prior to Valpo joining the MVC, with Bradley going 2-1, winning twice at Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse, and losing the only time they played at Valparaiso. They have split the 2 regular season games each year since Valparaiso entered the MVC in 2017, going 4-4 these last 4 seasons. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Bradley won at home, but lost at Valpo. However, last season, with the unique Covid schedule, Bradley played both games at Valparaiso, and managed a split the 2 games. Their win last year on Feb. 10, 2021 was the first time Bradley has ever won in Valparaiso. Bradley also beat Valpo in the 2020 MVC Tournament Championship game.
https://bradleybraves.com/news/2021/...iso-76-52.aspx

Bradley stats- https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit...1/pdf/cume.pdf
MVC stats- http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/confstat.htm

MVC standings- https://mvc-sports.com/standings.aspx?path=mbball

[Da Coach]

As well as Bradley has played the last 2 games, it's tempting to think they have finally put things together and will keep playing well. But this is still a relatively young team and there will still be some road-bumps with the majority of minutes coming from players in their first season of D1 ball. And now with Ja'Shon Henry out, we have no seniors among our top 7 players in minutes played, points, rebounds, assists, and have only 1 player who is in his absolute final season of eligibility (Howell). So although the best is ahead for this team, we will still see some ups and downs. Let's hope we don't have one of those "downs" Wednesday at Valpo, since this is a winnable game if they play like they did at Drake and against SIU.

[tecon89]

Valpo playing much better, seems like they are putting things together at the right time, similar to Bradley. Kobe King has been excellent.

[Da Coach]

Pregame article-

https://bradleybraves.com/news/2022/1/25/mens-basketball-braves-take-on-valparaiso-wednesday.aspx

[LittleBrave]

Always been tough to win at Valpo for Wardle. We've come close - Eli hit that ridiculous bank last year to send it to OT, but we fell short. They've shot the 3-ball well at their place form what I recall.
Should be a good one.

If Bradley has any shot at Top 3, this is a game they have to win.

[Bradley3342]

Always been tough to win at Valpo for Wardle. We've come close - Eli hit that ridiculous bank last year to send it to OT, but we fell short. They've shot the 3-ball well at their place form what I recall.
Should be a good one.

If Bradley has any shot at Top 3, this is a game they have to win.

I agree LittleBrave. I think that game in Valpo was 2 years ago when they hit that ridiculous amount of 3’s. Hope that doesn’t happen again. This is definitely a winnable game especially if Rienk and Terry stay hot and we play D aggressively.

[Tommy]

Alright boys, give us 2 halves tonight, not 1!

[Big Mike]

So far so good. Take care of the ball, better on dribble and stop cross court passes. Play 2 halves and this game is in the bag. Leon's quick hands on D' causing trouble for Valpo....Boya playing with confidence with a couple steals and a couple buckets.

Two halves please.

[Cousins Cuts podcast]

Like has been said, keep the petal to the metal. Limit turnovers. Stop getting loose with dribbles. At least 3 turnovers from losing dribbles with no defender around. I like the shot selection tho and great defense

[Big Mike]

As much as I love the 3'......this DUNKFEST is just as fun!

[Bradley3342]

I’m lovin it so far! Mast with another great start, Really good defense and 7 steals already.

[Tommy]

Reminder: Mast is a sophomore!

[Big Mike]

What's the Bradley record for # of Dunks in a game?

[Tommy]

How much contact under the basket are they going to allow Valpo? My goodness, they muggged Leons several times now!

[Da Coach]

What's the Bradley record for # of Dunks in a game?

Don't know that answer. The record probably dates back to the Versace era when they dunked a lot.
They have 7 dunks in this game with 7 minutes remaining.