Final Score: Bradley 74 UIC 47

[Da Coach]

Starting this thread, though we don't know who Bradley's opponent is yet. UIC vs UNI game is Thursday night at 8:30 pm.
Live stats can be followed here- https://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobi...997&confid=mvc

The games Thursday night can be viewed on Bally Sports and NBCSports Chicago Plus (not on regular NBCSports Chicago channel Thursday night because of a Chicago Bulls game). They are also available on ESPN+, though some blackouts may apply.
Anyone who wants to chat is welcome to use the Bradleyfans.com Chat room- https://www.chatzy.com/524398219675
It will not likely be very populated until Bradley's game Friday night.
MVC Bracket and schedule with links to box scores and ESPN+ streams- https://mvc-sports.com/feature/24Arch
Go BU!

[BRAVE82]

Most likely will face SIU. Upper bracket has ISU Blue, Belmont, and N Iowa.

[Tomahawk]

Also happy to be facing either SIU or UIC. At this point though the games will be tough. Need to cut down on turnovers, play tough defense, and rebound. We do that and we will be playing Sunday. Assuming we get by our first round game, would love to get another chance playing Drake. They can be beat. Just have to play close to 40 minutes of good basketball.

[Bradley8792]

My money is on UIC to play the spoiler.

[Da Coach]

If it's SIU that Bradley will face on Friday, Bradley has beaten them twice this season, 70-69 in Carbondale and 86-67 in Peoria.
SIU's top player Xavier Johnson has cooled off a little in recent games. He did have 24 points today against UNI, but he was just 7-20 overall and 0-4 from three. And the 3 most recent games prior to today were his 3 lowest scoring games of this season. He is just 14-52 (26.9%) in his last 4 games. He is just 4-26 (15.4%) from three in his last 5 games. And he has had 17 turnovers in his last 4 games (4.3 per game).
Game log- https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...xavier-johnson

Xavier Johnson's average is now 21.9 ppg. No other SIU player averages more than 9.1 ppg - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba.../stats/_/id/79

[BRAVE82]

UIC wins in double OT. My prediction for today's game... UIC jumps out to a double digit first half lead as Bradley comes out lethargic and cold shooting. Bradley (down by 14) scratches back in 2nd half to eventually pull out an ugly nail biter. Beware of Isaiah Rivera... who will be guarding him?

[ManMythLegend]

UIC wins in double OT. My prediction for today's game... UIC jumps out to a double digit first half lead as Bradley comes out lethargic and cold shooting. Bradley (down by 14) scratches back in 2nd half to eventually pull out an ugly nail biter. Beware of Isaiah Rivera... who will be guarding him?

I hope you're wrong and we lead by double digits for most of the game. But it's March, so who knows. Rivera is talented so we need to lock him down for sure. He'll probably see multiple looks but I'm guessing Hick starts on him. Go Braves! ️

[battlebasset]

UIC wins in double OT. My prediction for today's game... UIC jumps out to a double digit first half lead as Bradley comes out lethargic and cold shooting. Bradley (down by 14) scratches back in 2nd half to eventually pull out an ugly nail biter. Beware of Isaiah Rivera... who will be guarding him?

I hate that prediction, but you probably aren't wrong. I hope the team that beat SIU the second time shows up tomorrow, and not the team that barely beat ISU red at home. UIC knows this is their only chance for post season, and they will play hard.

[Bradley8792]

My money is on UIC to play the spoiler.

Called it, haha. (Like I knew what I was talking about)

[BUfan17]

Called it, haha. (Like I knew what I was talking about)

Hahaha. UIC has been a sleeper this year. When they're on they can really compete, they almost got away with a win against Drake too. I'm looking forward to them being more competitive in the coming years.

We can't look past them today though, need to start and finish strong. Hopefully they are worn out after last night.

[Stevezall]

Go Braves...we were given Double Luck last night! Let's go beat UIC...one game at a time!!!

[Da Coach]

Hope nobody minds, I merged a couple threads about the game tonight.
Now we know it will be Bradley vs. UIC in the 8:30 pm game.

Here are a few links-
TV: MVC-TV Network, including Bally Sports and NBCSports Chicago
Also streamed on ESPN+ - https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id...7-da85e3d2856d
Chat room- https://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans
Live stats- https://www.statbroadcast.com/events...al.php?gid=mvc
Radio- www.wmbdradio.com

UIC was picked 10th in the 2023-24 MVC Preseason Poll- https://mvc-sports.com/news/2023/10/...-favorite.aspx
They finished 11th with a record of 4-16- Final Standings- https://mvc-sports.com/standings.aspx?path=mbball
Bradley beat UIC twice- January 13 at UIC 77-59 and Feb. 14 in Peoria 85-73.

Schedule/results- https://uicflames.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Roster- https://uicflames.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats- https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s...3/pdf/cume.pdf

Bradley stats- https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s...3/pdf/cume.pdf
MVC stats- https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit..._MBB_Stats.pdf

Arch Madness website with information about the games - https://mvc-sports.com/sports/arch_madness
Other useful sites--

Ticket info- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2017/5...512172935.aspx (info is mostly outdated already)
Ticket Discounts- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2017/5...512173218.aspx
Hotel information- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2019/12/6/ArchHotels.aspx
Restaurant info- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2019/1...staurants.aspx
Fan Hangout- Ballpark Village- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2017/5/12/FanHangout.aspx
Info about the Enterprise Center, bag policy, location, parking, etc.- https://mvc-sports.com/sports/2017/5...512173814.aspx
Tournament Central- info about the bracket, seedings, schedule, game times, and links to Live Stats and box scores for every game - https://mvc-sports.com/feature/24Arch (Bradley is the #3 seed, playing at 8:30 pm Friday in Game 8, Session 4)

Hotel- the official Bradley team hotel is the Embassy Suites Downtown Hotel at 610 N. 7th St., at the corner of 7th St. and Washington Ave.

[Stevezall]

Some In the gaming Business think Bradley is the best overall Longshot bid to win this tourney! This was also before they drew 11 seed UIC tonight and could have never expected Double OT! I have a vision of Coach Wardle being able to rest his Starters more then before against UIC so to have rested legs in the semi-Final!!!! Just mentioning what I read, but assuming Drake is their next round ( they can't look by Evansville either) I read Bradley hasn't beaten Drake YET this year!!! The point being so tough to beat a very good team 3 times in a season!!!! Bradley has been given a better chance now due to these above circumstances! I hope the MCV gets 2 bids...Bradley may have alot to say in this Matter! GO BRAVES! Anxiously awaiting.....

[Stevezall]

The Valley Runs Deep!!! So true after 3 lower seeds won last night!!! I wonder if that has ever happened before in opening round? Every remaining higher seed must not look past there next opponent! Happy Bradley doesn't have to go through Belmont or Northern Iowa!!!! Indiana State will!!!! They have a tough road ahead! They have the talent though to get to the finals! If Bradley can't come through, I hope Indiana St. Can! They are a fun talented team to watch!!!! The quarterfinals start soon!!!! I think the top seeds will get to the semi-Finals but you just never know: The Valley runs Deep!!!!!!

[egib52]

The Valley Runs Deep!!! So true after 3 lower seeds won last night!!! I wonder if that has ever happened before in opening round? Every remaining higher seed must not look past there next opponent! Happy Bradley doesn't have to go through Belmont or Northern Iowa!!!! Indiana State will!!!! They have a tough road ahead! They have the talent though to get to the finals! If Bradley can't come through, I hope Indiana St. Can! They are a fun talented team to watch!!!! The quarterfinals start soon!!!! I think the top seeds will get to the semi-Finals but you just never know: The Valley runs Deep!!!!!!

I don't think the lower seed narrative matters much in the opening round. Especially when the lower half of the conference was so tight. IMO UIC was the only real upset.