Final score: Bradley 62 SIU 52

[Tommy]

FYI: Just heard that Gary Maxwell is one of the refs tonight. He is the one that walked into the huddle at Indiana State and then teed up coach

Another game with far too many foul calls and totally inconsistent on both ends. And yes, this Maxwell character was the biggest offender and he is the one that warned Wardle for being over the line by like 1 inch, and was also the one that warned the fans behind the basket. Guy is a complete tool and called the game completely in favor of SIU. Luckily, the other two refs weren't nearly as biased with the whistle. Not sure we could ever win a game with Maxwell and Pollard on the same squad.

This is the 4th game this season where I have thought the officiating was horrendous, but 3 of those games were W's for BU, so I think that says a lot about the character of our team and coaching staff. I am impressed how well Wardle kept his cool with some of those calls.

JaShon and Malevy completely shut down Domask but in fairness to him, he seemed disinterested for most of the game and was not very high effort in my opinion, but that may very well be due to the fact that our guys were in his face every time he moved. JaShon was also our best weapon offensively as when he decided he was going to the basket, he just did it, and when he did, it went in. Was terrified when he went down injured.

All around great defensive effort, but still need to work on our offense. Did not work it down low against a smaller team as much as we could and should have and seemed to spend far too much time outside the 3 point line. Shooting wasn't great, but we got them to fall when we needed them and our free throw shooting (believe it or not) was the difference in the game. We were 13-17 (76.5%) while SIU was only 9-13 (69.2%).

Funny how the emotions have changed game to game. Quite the roller coaster ride this season, but I think we can all agree by now that this team has enough talent to win the MVC.

[egib52]

Wardle also received a warning from one of the officials, who must have been upset with a couple fans near the court riding them about their horrendous calls, Wardle then asked someone from the athletic department to go ask those fans to quiet down a little to avoid a technical foul. The athletic department person then walked over to a couple fans at courtside near the SIU bench and talked to them, then went around to the other side of the SIU basket, and talked to another fan seated at that end of the court. After that, those fans remained in the seats and did quiet down

He received a warning from Gary Matthews. Wardle also had two member of the athletic department relocate to the seats behind him because he said he gave him the warning for no reason, essentially.

[Bball31]

The only help we need is for somebody to beat Belmont. Other than that, the regular season conference championship is Bradley’s to win or lose. They can only stop themselves. Let’s hope they do it.

[Nashville Cat]

The only help we need is for somebody to beat Belmont. Other than that, the regular season conference championship is Bradley’s to win or lose. They can only stop themselves. Let’s hope they do it.

Unfortunately Belmont has the easiest remaining schedule!

[Bball31]

Unfortunately Belmont has the easiest remaining schedule!

They are a good team but not a great team. We could have beaten them twice but didn’t take advantage of the opportunity we had. I think we beat ourselves instead them beating us. I can see them having difficult times at Missouri State, Drake and UNI. Missouri State can be a hard place to win. Drake and UNI are playing pretty well right now. It will definitely be interesting.

[Tommy]

They are a good team but not a great team. We could have beaten them twice but didn’t take advantage of the opportunity we had. I think we beat ourselves instead them beating us. I can see them having difficult times at Missouri State, Drake and UNI. Missouri State can be a hard place to win. Drake and UNI are playing pretty well right now. It will definitely be interesting.

After the butt whooping Drake gave us, they are the team that scares me the most. They are experienced, and Brodie is showing up this year which is not good. He's a huge body and if he's motivated, he's very difficult to stop. Shut him down in either shooting or rebounding, and you probably beat Drake this year.

[bigjimmy]

Belmont and SIU each have 3 road/4 home games left while Drake and us have 4 road/3 home games left. Belmont plays 3 of their next 4 at home against ISU Red, UIC and Evansville but they finish at Drake, home to ISU Blue and at UNI. Drake still has to come here and go to Murray State and UNI and play SIU and Belmont at home. SIU still has a home and road game against UIC and play at Valpo and Drake and are home to us, UNI and Missouri State. I don't think anyone is going to finish 7-0 but 6-1 is doable. 5-2 finish should get you no worse than 4th and then just have to hope the tie breakers fall you way if there's multiple teams tied up.

[bigjimmy]

After the butt whooping Drake gave us, they are the team that scares me the most. They are experienced, and Brodie is showing up this year which is not good. He's a huge body and if he's motivated, he's very difficult to stop. Shut him down in either shooting or rebounding, and you probably beat Drake this year.

Your so right Tommy about Brodie. He's really improved his movement and is more confident in the games that I've watched. He's scored in double figures in 7 of their last 8 games and he makes Drake a better team. I would think he'll make the MVC All Improved team along with Valpo's Ben Krikke as well as Zek and Malevy.

[Da Coach]

FYI: Just heard that Gary Maxwell is one of the refs tonight. He is the one that walked into the huddle at Indiana State and then teed up coach

Yes, the three officials were Gary Maxwell, Shane Staggs, and Jeff Campbell.

https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2022-23/southern-illinois/boxscore/21525

[LittleBrave]

The journey down the homestretch looks tough for Bradley. I see a 4-3 finish, but the optimistic side of me says 5-2, which I'll take.
I don't think anyone finishes 6-1.

HUGE game this Saturday - I actually think the ISU-red game will be hard to win, but then again, the Braves that we saw a week ago were NOT the typical Braves. Worst home court effort I've seen in last 2 seasons.

We're coming together and believe in each other. Keep playing tough and determined and make those perimeter shots!

Absolutely need HIckman to "kick in" his game down the stretch. He's capable.
Zek is really coming along and has been the X-factor lately - definitely a candidate for Most Improved Team.

[Bball31]

After the butt whooping Drake gave us, they are the team that scares me the most. They are experienced, and Brodie is showing up this year which is not good. He's a huge body and if he's motivated, he's very difficult to stop. Shut him down in either shooting or rebounding, and you probably beat Drake this year.

I agree with you on Drake. They layed it on Belmont by 18, at Belmont, a few days ago without DeVries. Brodie is a big body that runs the floor very well. I’ve seen them play multiple times on ESPN+ the last couple of weeks. The guy that is really making a difference for them the last couple of weeks is Sturtz. I believe they were the preseason pick to win the league by several people. They are playing like that team right now. For now, the Braves just need to worry about themselves and take care of the task at hand. As a player and coach, being in first place at this point of the season is where you want to be. You want to control your own destiny.

[KillerB]

From the Braves on Twitter today.
Enjoy.

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1621253311432388610/pu/vid/1280x720/u8s132bEiRQxurr3.mp4?tag=12

[Bradley3342]

Anyone hear what the official attendance was at the game last night?

[Big Mike]

Anyone hear what the official attendance was at the game last night?

4,817