Final: Bradley 68 Drake 59

[Bradley3342]

Great win tonight. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now. Hard to believe this is the same team that started the season 1-5 and now have won 7 of their last 8 and 8 of their last 10. Man are they fun to watch right now!

[BUfan14]

Tommy, thanks to your brother for his service, heroic story!

Great win! I wanted at least one win this week and we won both! Against the other top half Valley teams you could argue we should be 6-1 and we are 4-3 with close loses to Loyola and MIssouri State. Win at MSU and we would have beaten all four of them at least once. Beat ISU and MSU and we will have beaten every team at least once.

The current starters had basically two years of D1 playing experience between all of them coming into this year, one for Mast and one for Kent (and he didn’t play a ton last year until the end). They’ve been great gelling together. Even though Hickman and Kent are inconsistent as young guys, I still love their hustle and the little things they do each game. I love our starting lineup.

I’ve been critical of Ville and Howell and said our bench needs to be solidified. They have done just that. Boya, Ville, and Howell have improved tons lately this year and are playing their best ball right now and playing their roles well. Mikey even limited the TOs tonight. Zek playing that 9th man scoring role has also been a nice development. That’s a great 9 to have playing. I’m assuming Jashon is a long ways off still and won’t be in much of game shape even if he is ready in a few weeks.

We took care of our week of tough home games, now let’s take care of in-state rivalry week with two wins!

[bradleyfan124]

Great win.
Seemed like some bogus calls made tonight and then other times should have had some real calls made.
Still played a great "team" game.
This seems to be a very unselfish team.

I didnot like the referring either. Calling bogus calls then letting other calls go without calling. The Commisioner of the MVC was there tonight.I hope he saw that also

[bigjimmy]

First off a HUGH thank you to Tommy’s brother for his service. You could tell how happy he was being there getting honored. I’m not too sure but that’s the first time I can remember Dr. Reynolds bringing out a basketball to give to the honoree. He normally just either gives them a hug and/or shakes their hand. Whoever thought of this deserves a big pat on the back. Veterans and current members of the military deserve our respect and admiration for their service. Secondly as far as the game is concerned our defense for the most part has been pretty locked in. Any time you can hold a team to just 4 assists and without forcing many turnovers means a lot of one on one basketball which means not too many easy shots. Offensively it took us almost 30:00 before we could establish any rhythm but when we did it was pretty to watch. What makes us tough is the versatility we have and it really showed in the last 2 games. Need to take that on the road at SIU on Tuesday and keep movin on up in the standings!

[bradleyfan124]

I have not been able to find a replay of the Bradley Drake game anywhere. Does anyone know where I can watch the game again

[Tommy]

I have not been able to find a replay of the Bradley Drake game anywhere. Does anyone know where I can watch the game again

Hey BF124, up on my Youtube channel now, buddy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_5oDo86tZk

And thanks again for the kind words about my bro, guys. That means a lot to me. And Jimmy, you are correct, that is the first time they've given a ball to a vet and it was arranged by Phyllis Piraino and she was just really great. She said she wanted to do something special knowing that he was such a big BU fan and considering his story. He told me it was one of the best days of his life and 2nd best sports memory right behind seeing BU win the MVC tournament in St. Louis in 2020.

[bradleyfan124]

Hey BF124, up on my Youtube channel now, buddy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_5oDo86tZk

And thanks again for the kind words about my bro, guys. That means a lot to me. And Jimmy, you are correct, that is the first time they've given a ball to a vet and it was arranged by Phyllis Piraino and she was just really great. She said she wanted to do something special knowing that he was such a big BU fan and considering his story. He told me it was one of the best days of his life and 2nd best sports memory right behind seeing BU win the MVC tournament in St. Louis in 2020.

Oh thank you, thank you,thank you.

[elmerb]

We were able to come down for both the Loyola and Drake games. Both were great wins. But better than those wins, was to see them honor Tommy's brother. I'll never forget that. Tommy, tell your brother I served in the Navy from 69-73 and I salute him for his service. Also was 14 assists the most we've had in a Valley game this season.

[Da Coach]

We were able to come down for both the Loyola and Drake games. Both were great wins. But better than those wins, was to see them honor Tommy's brother. I'll never forget that. Tommy, tell your brother I served in the Navy from 69-73 and I salute him for his service. Also was 14 assists the most we've had in a Valley game this season.

Bradley only had 11 assists in the Drake game Saturday, and 12 assists in the Loyola game last Wednesday.
But they have exceeded 14 assists several times in the MVC games this season-
20 assists in the home win over Evansville, January 12
20 assists in the win at Valparaiso on January 26
17 assists in the win at Evansville on February 5
16 assists in the loss at ILSU on January 16
16 assists in the loss at Loyola, January 8
15 assists in the win at Drake on January 19
15 assists in the home loss to Missouri State, January 5

[Tommy]

We were able to come down for both the Loyola and Drake games. Both were great wins. But better than those wins, was to see them honor Tommy's brother. I'll never forget that. Tommy, tell your brother I served in the Navy from 69-73 and I salute him for his service. Also was 14 assists the most we've had in a Valley game this season.

elmerb, thanks so much for your thoughtful message and your service as well, my friend! I’ve read all the messages to my bro and I’ll definitely read yours to him next time we talk! I hope we can meet at a game one of these days!