Exhibition game result: Bradley 80 Millikin 63

[Da Coach]

Bradley's only public exhibition game is Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. Millikin University, at 7 pm.
There is no TV or streaming.
Radio- https://www.wmbdradio.com
Live Stats- https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Bradleyfans.com chat room- https://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans
Tickets- https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070061309A471F11

The Millikin University Big Blue are an NCAA Division III program. They compete in the 9-member College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Millikin was 7th in the CCIW Preseason poll - https://cciw.org/news/2024/10/25/men...-favorite.aspx
Last season (2023-24) Millikin finished 9-16 overall, and 5-11 in the CCIW, tied for last place - https://cciw.org/standings.aspx?standings=1177

Stats from 2023-24 - https://athletics.millikin.edu/sport.../stats/2023-24
Their top 5 scorers return this season.

Their Roster shows 22 players - https://athletics.millikin.edu/sport...ketball/roster
Coaches - https://athletics.millikin.edu/sport...etball/coaches
Schedule - https://athletics.millikin.edu/sport...tball/schedule

Bradley last played Millikin in an exhibition on October 29, 2019, and won 91-52.
Recap- https://bradleybraves.com/news/2019/...kin-91-52.aspx
Box score- https://bradleybraves.com/sports/men...boxscore/17977

The last time Bradley played Millikin in the regular season was March 2, 1940. Between 1909 and 1940, the two teams played 53 times as members of the old IIAC Conference (Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Bradley's record against Millikin during that IIAC era was 30-23.

[yoda]

their coach Kramer Soderberg, is the son of long time head coach of Saint Louis, Lindenwood & elsewhere and
long time assistant at many programs including Virginia - Brad Soderberg.
Bio- https://athletics.millikin.edu/sport...soderberg/1225

[BUBraves2006]

I realize this is a total first world problem, but I find it a little ridiculous that in 2024 we don't have every officially scheduled game televised, exhibition or otherwise. Even pro teams that don't have a TV broadcast just sync the audio to the radio and leave a fixed camera on the scoreboard so people can stream the game. I'm sure there are the usual excuses that will come up (streaming costs money, someone has to press the button on and off on the camera, etc.). Seems like a perfect opportunity to give some communication majors a chance to learn about broadcasting a real event - if it doesn't work perfectly, well, it's just an exhibition game. Bradley fans are spread out all over and the more you can increase your brand (merch/social media/event exposure), the more it helps us for future recruits. (Oh yeah, and winning, obviously. )

[egib52]

I realize this is a total first world problem, but I find it a little ridiculous that in 2024 we don't have every officially scheduled game televised, exhibition or otherwise. Even pro teams that don't have a TV broadcast just sync the audio to the radio and leave a fixed camera on the scoreboard so people can stream the game. I'm sure there are the usual excuses that will come up (streaming costs money, someone has to press the button on and off on the camera, etc.). Seems like a perfect opportunity to give some communication majors a chance to learn about broadcasting a real event - if it doesn't work perfectly, well, it's just an exhibition game. Bradley fans are spread out all over and the more you can increase your brand (merch/social media/event exposure), the more it helps us for future recruits. (Oh yeah, and winning, obviously. )

I don't disagree, but it may be a rights issue. WMBD would probably have to be involved if it was going to be some kind of simulcast.

[Heemeskerk]

Stream it without audio. who cares better than nothing.

[Da Coach]

Other than the big charity exhibitions like maybe last week's Arizona State-Duke game (was that televised?), I am not sure I have ever seen any team televise a preseason exhibition game. I'm pretty sure no MVC team has ever done it. So it doesn't seem likely it's going to happen.
We are fortunate that nearly every game on the schedule is available to watch on TV or streaming. I go back a few decades as a Bradley fan when we were lucky to get any games on TV.

[tomahawk chop]

Yes i understand both sides because everyone is anxious to see Bradley games because of all the predictions, unfortunately exhibition games have never been televised and more then likely will never be streamed. I cannot wait to see the team play tonight plus looking forward to see all the improvements that have been made to the arena.

[Heemeskerk]

Other than the big charity exhibitions like maybe last week's Arizona State-Duke game (was that televised?), I am not sure I have ever seen any team televise a preseason exhibition game. I'm pretty sure no MVC team has ever done it. So it doesn't seem likely it's going to happen.
We are fortunate that nearly every game on the schedule is available to watch on TV or streaming. I go back a few decades as a Bradley fan when we were lucky to get any games on TV.

Arizona State vs Duke was televised. So was Illinois vs Ole Miss. I was just suggesting personally I would watch even if there was no audio just a simple stream. I am in FL so can't go watch in person. But it is a first world problem and you are right fortunate to be able to watch most of the season games vs once upon a time when that was not so.

[BUBraves2006]

Arizona State vs Duke was televised. So was Illinois vs Ole Miss. I was just suggesting personally I would watch even if there was no audio just a simple stream. I am in FL so can't go watch in person. But it is a first world problem and you are right fortunate to be able to watch most of the season games vs once upon a time when that was not so.

With your sentiment 100% and it's definitely not unprecedented. Example:

https://insidetheloudhouse.com/syracuse-basketball-how-to-watch-cuse-host-slippery-rock-in-su-s-final-exhibition-01jba7sjkr5z

Even against a non-DI team, the game is on. And, I'm not even looking for an official TV broadcast, just a simple stream. I think the sentiment of, "we've never done it so we're just never going to do it" is kind of a cop out to me. If there are real reasons, like the licensing or some other factor that is a real limiter, so be it. But, accepting that we just don't want to evolve is how you get passed behind. I'm amazed in the quality of the team videos so far - Bradley never used to produce stuff like this and it's awesome to see us catch up to present day. It's obviously not something too important that anyone including myself should get too worked up about, but I just don't see the drawbacks. If some kid can go to a concert and stream it on his phone to Facebook, streaming a game should not be too difficult, even if there's no audio.

---------

Onto another random observation, because I just want the basketball to start. Milikin is the "Big Blue" and their logo is nearly identical to Michigan. How is this stuff still allowed? I feel like I read some reason why high schools don't get prosecuted on stealing logos from schools like Notre Dame was mostly just a PR thing (bad look on the big money making school to go after high schools). But I'm surprised this would be allowed at the college level, especially considering the nickname.

[Da Coach]

Finalscore: Bradley 80 Millikin 63
Stats- https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/media

Bradley started very strong and opened a 31-9 lead after the first 11 minutes. But then with a lot of personnel changes at that point, the offense stalled a bit and thanks to a near-half court buzzer shot by Millikin, the halftime lead was just 43-25.
The second half was a slightly different story. The offense never quite got rolling, and the Braves were just 2-11 from three. Meanwhile, Millikin got hot from three in the 2nd half and slowly cut Bradley's lead down to a little as 10 points (70-60 with 3 minutes left). But Bradley held on for the 80-63 win.
The starters were Duke Deen, Zek Montgomery, Christian Davis, Almar Atlason, and Corey Thomas. Darius Hannah did not play. None of the starters played more than 27 minutes, and everyone saw some action.
The 5 starters were very good when they were on the court together, and Burch, Jonovic, and Jaquan played well off the bench. But I thought the frequent substitutions, especially in the 2nd half, messed with the continuity of the team's offense.
I liked how Corey Thomas complimented the returning players. He should be the starter at the 5 position, and Jonovic was improved and will help off the bench.

[houstonbrave]

I thought the crowd was pretty good although it’s been many years since I’ve been to an exhibition game.

Corey Thomas was better than I expected and Meta has definitely taken a step forward. Duke was Duke. I didn’t think it was Christian Davis’s best game (and I’m a big fan of his). Not a great game for Zek-I expect more from him.

Connor Dillion was rusty but if his back is ok I expect him to help as he gets more practice time.

Overall coach won’t love the defense.

Almar definitely improved but still a bit slow on defense. Demarion is a highlight real but still gets sped up sometimes.

overall too much one on on offense in second half. Jaquan is serviceable but needs more time.

I think we’ll be fine, but we do certainly miss Mal-he did so many things well.

[bradleyfan124]

Meta greatly improved

[yoda]

I am hopeful that the team we saw in the first 10 minutes last night is the team that will compete well
for the rest of the games this season (starting five plus the first 2 or 3 off the bench). But injuries could cause depth issues.
It seemed apparent last night that the team goes 8 or 9 players deep if everyone is fully healthy,
and beyond that we would struggle against any good DI team. We really should have put this opponent away by 25 points,
but I appreciate that Coach wanted to give everyone some court time.

[BengalFan14]

The team looked a little under conditioned - they hadn’t played in a couple weeks. They were struggling to consistently push the pace. And I think Coach wanted to try some combos we won’t see when the real games start. Best starting 5 in the league when Darius gets back, IMO. And the bench is really solid. Meta looks smoother - I wish he were a little better athlete - and more sure of himself. Ball handlers still need to see the floor better - work in progress. But in this system everyone gets touches so it’s a minor complaint. They need to clean up some defensive communication and rotations. I like what I saw. SEMO game will be the test.

[BengalFan14]

Also, Coach likes to go 8 deep but could go 10 if he wanted. Starting 5 plus Thomas, Meta, Dillon, Johnson, Burch. Nice problem to have as Coach.