Final score: Bradley 86 SIU 67

[patrick_o'brian]

While we are locked into that 8:30 #3 seed slot in STL, there’s still major incentive to win Saturday. Not MVC Regular Season Champion incentive, but ending Drake’s 15-0 run at home this year would be sweet in the final game of the regular season.

[Stryker]

For those who can't access the article, Dave Eminian asked Darius about his future in three different ways. Finally asking if he will be playing his fifth year here...Darius responded all three times with 'I'll be taking a 5th year'. I think Darius will be back but I think he's not committing right now in an effort to get his NIL as high as possible. Can't blame him. Disclaimer: I have no insider info, just my opinion.

I hope he returns to BU, but I would also not be surprised if he transfers elsewhere. Others on this board seem to be 100% convinced he comes back to BU, but everything he has said over the past couple weeks, that's not what I am hearing. He definitely could return to BU and I really hope he does, just saying I won't be shocked if he does not return.

[Da Coach]

While we are locked into that 8:30 #3 seed slot in STL, there’s still major incentive to win Saturday. Not MVC Regular Season Champion incentive, but ending Drake’s 15-0 run at home this year would be sweet in the final game of the regular season.

Note that the Bradley game at Drake is Sunday, March 3, at 2:30 pm.
In fact, all 6 final regular season games are Sunday - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...40303/group/18

[BUFAN1]

Best game we have played in a long time. Fun senior night. Only complaint is not playing Burch more. We will need him to have any shot of three in three with Hick and Deen logging so many minutes this year and probably in those games.

Who was the starting shooting guard with that lineup tonight haha, Leons?

Also we’ve out scored SIU 132-91 by my count in the last three halves against them.

Burch was sick on Tuesday, as stated at the Voice of the Braves show. And honestly, when he was in at the end, he looked like he was sick. So I am thinking they were trying to get him to recover.

I really hope Wardle isn't an idiot on Sunday. IF we are getting hammered, there is no reason to keep the starters in. Will just have to see where it goes. A little voice inside is telling me to not be surprised with a win.

[Da Coach]

Burch was sick on Tuesday, as stated at the Voice of the Braves show. And honestly, when he was in at the end, he looked like he was sick. So I am thinking they were trying to get him to recover.

I really hope Wardle isn't an idiot on Sunday. IF we are getting hammered, there is no reason to keep the starters in. Will just have to see where it goes. A little voice inside is telling me to not be surprised with a win.

Drake coach Darian DeVries will also have an incentive to not play his regulars excessive minutes.

[LittleBrave]

Burch was sick on Tuesday, as stated at the Voice of the Braves show. And honestly, when he was in at the end, he looked like he was sick. So I am thinking they were trying to get him to recover.

While I hate to hear that Burch was sick, this is good news to explain his lack of minutes last night - and he did look lethargic all night!

[LittleBrave]

I hope he returns to BU, but I would also not be surprised if he transfers elsewhere. Others on this board seem to be 100% convinced he comes back to BU, but everything he has said over the past couple weeks, that's not what I am hearing. He definitely could return to BU and I really hope he does, just saying I won't be shocked if he does not return.

Same here, and Deen and Hannah are very close (they are roommates), so if 1 decides to leave, then who know how that would sway the other.

[tomahawk chop]

One of our best played games of the season. We go down to St.Louis and play like this we will be hard to beat period. We were great on both offense and defense and appeared to be the more physical team.

[BUBraves2006]

Apologies if I missed something more official in a thread but has anyone asked Duke if he's coming back? It seems like with how great his career has been that if he had any thoughts of using that last year elsewhere that he'd at least take the chance to get honored and then see where the chips fall next year.

To me, that feels like he's absolutely looking at coming back. Sure, I guess some school could throw a bunch of money at him but without any further details, it seems like that's his plan. But without a Malevy-esque declaration, we probably can't be sure until the fall.

As good as we can still be next year, not having Duke, Hannah AND Malevy would be a pretty big dropoff.

[bradleyfan124]

Same here, and Deen and Hannah are very close (they are roommates), so if 1 decides to leave, then who know how that would sway the other.

I also think Deen and Hickman are close. They work well together and wont want to breakup the pair. And I think Hickman will be back. I think he is a loyal type guy. I think Hannah will also return because he and Deen are friends and want to see how far they can carry Bradley. I think Hannah is trying to position himself for negotiating with the Bradley NIL

[LittleBrave]

As good as we can still be next year, not having Duke, Hannah AND Malevy would be a pretty big dropoff.

For sure! On the flipside, how good could this team be if Duke and Darius were to stay!

I don't see anyone taking their place next season, and would be nice to have Duke teach the incoming freshman Jaquan a thing or two.

[yoda]

Malevy had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocks! ..

anyone else kinda think he actually had more than 6 blocks, but since several came in a rapid flurry deep under the basket,
I'm convinced a few were missed. It appeared that he had 3 on one possession right under the hoop and 2 or 3 that he got from behind on SIU attempts

[yoda]

Burch was sick on Tuesday, as stated at the Voice of the Braves show. And honestly, when he was in at the end, he looked like he was sick. So I am thinking they were trying to get him to recover.

I really hope Wardle isn't an idiot on Sunday. IF we are getting hammered, there is no reason to keep the starters in. Will just have to see where it goes. A little voice inside is telling me to not be surprised with a win.

Bradley has repeatedly come back in games from down 15-20, so even if we are getting "hammered", do you really think Wardle
would wave a white flag? I don't, it's just not in him, and I am happy it's not.

[LittleBrave]

I also think Deen and Hickman are close. They work well together and wont want to breakup the pair. And I think Hickman will be back. I think he is a loyal type guy. I think Hannah will also return because he and Deen are friends and want to see how far they can carry Bradley. I think Hannah is trying to position himself for negotiating with the Bradley NIL

I REALLY hope this is spot on BF124! It does appear that Duke is coming back - does anyone have any hunch that he will not? For sure Duke and Hick are the best 1-2 guard punch in the Valley.

Hick has had a solid season and has fought through some injuries - he hasn't looked sharp every game, so I think his best year is still to come!

[Tommy]

anyone else kinda think he actually had more than 6 blocks, but since several came in a rapid flurry deep under the basket,
I'm convinced a few were missed. It appeared that he had 3 on one possession right under the hoop and 2 or 3 that he got from behind on SIU attempts

Yes, no doubt about it.