What did we witness this season?

[Stryker]

I know things just ended, but I can't help but reflect on this season as I look back over the past 4 months. To me this team is the following things:

1) Coached at an above average level
2) A close knit group of guys
3) A mix of experience levels
4) Relied heavily on good post players (Mast, Leons)
5) Young, inexperienced, raw, and under sized at guard
6) Very poor FT shooting
7) Sub par 3 pt shooting
8 ) Good enough to beat average and below average teams every night
9) Not good enough to beat an above average/good team unless everything goes right

It's hard to criticize the braves much this year after getting 25 wins and an MVC regular season championship, which hadn't been done in forever it feels like.

However, this team ultimately is exactly what I thought it was. A team with some major weaknesses still, and a team that would not have won the MVC regular season championship if the MVC hadn't been so weak this year. This team is good enough, coached well enough, and consistently good enough to not have losses to bad teams, and win almost every game they are favored in. That was good enough to get the MVC regular season championship this year combined with one good home win against Drake.

Looking at games played, I can say that the only good win Bradley has had all season was the win at home against Drake to secure the MVC championship. Every other game played against a good team resulted in a loss. Akron is the only team BU beat this year with 20+ wins not named Drake, Belmont, Indiana State, or Southern Illinois. The team is exactly what the analysts, selection committees, and pundits thought it was, and none of us should be saying BU was disrespected. The team proved they were what everyone thought they were.

That said, I really really have enjoyed this group of players, especially Mast, Leons, Hickman, Montgomery, and Hannah among others. I think we did see some development among the younger players this year and I think we can expect improvement from them in the future. I would love to see Mast stick around another year but I understand if he does not.

It is very challenging time for a mid-major program right now with the transfer portal and NIL. Seeing a successful year, along with an accomplishment like an MVC regular season championship was fantastic. I hope Wardle is here for next season and can continue to build this roster and improve it further.

[BUfan14]

I think this is all spot on. The three shooting as a whole was decent this year, but we had no consistent guys or guys that could make them in big moments. Those knock down guys that either always find ways to get open or can create their own shot from the perimeter.

Free throw shooting is a bizarre one that I can’t figure out. Hickman should should better than he does from there. Zek too. Henry seemingly lost all confidence this year there.

In previously years this year would have built excitement to take the next step next year, but in today’s world is just creates anxiousness figuring out if the program and players will still be in place next year.

What is a realistic height for their program? I feel we can be Drake. That should be the goal for the next step. Make a few tournaments, occasionally as an at large, and build a good team every year. This year as a top 80 program should now be the baseline, and we should always be there with maybe the occasional top 100ish slip and occasional top 50 height. That’s my opinion anyway.

[LittleBrave]

I think we saw that when we struggle from outside, we are average and very beatable. Not many teams can shoot 25% or lower from behind the arc and win. Valley teams normally thrive with good (and consistent) perimeter shooting, and we went into a funk the last 4 games. I think it was decent overall during the Valley season, but I think we had more open looks due to better motion on offense.

We need a sharp shooter that can hit 40% plus and get about 3 three's per game (a-la Nate Kennel). Then Zeke, Hickman, Davis (if still on roster) need to improve, and I feel they are quite capable. Malevy IMO is a 3rd or 4th option from deep, tho he can be streaky.

I think our issues are simple to figure out. Shoot better. Continue to play solid D - only get TOUGHER and SMARTER vs the better teams. Work on free throws!

IF we retain Wardle, Reink returns, get another PG like Howell, AND we have someone who can knock down 3s vs the better teams (can be returning player or incoming one), we should be dancing next season.
BOOK IT!

[LongTimeFan]

We also need someone to supply the skills that Henry gave us. Wardle places emphasis on rebounding as well as other traits. Henry also seemed to score while being assaulted under the basket.

[egib52]

We also need someone to supply the skills that Henry gave us. Wardle places emphasis on rebounding as well as other traits. Henry also seemed to score while being assaulted under the basket.

I definitely agree we need a bull inside.

[SycamoreFanatic]

Unfortunately you saw Greg Lansing post-season play ending with a flame-out blow-out at the Arch year- after- year -after year........ think about it.

[Da Coach]

Unfortunately you saw Greg Lansing post-season play ending with a flame-out blow-out at the Arch year- after- year -after year........ think about it.

You might be referring to Indiana State's MVC Tournament history, but Bradley fans have seen a much better recent history.
In the last 5 MVC Tournaments (2019-2023), Bradley has a cumulative record of 8-3, 3 tournament championship game appearances, and 2 tournament championships. No current MVC team even comes close to those numbers.