Announcement

**BUBraves2006** · 12-30-2024, 11:50 AM

I'm really fascinated about this game for a few reasons:

Indiana State's schedule has been just lousy aside from their last game. They have a lot of bad losses in there. But, they've got two Valley wins already. Very curious to see how they actually measure up against us with so much turnover.
Was Valpo actually just better than people think? Between their game against us and Drake, it seems like its so. If so, Indiana State feels like one of the teams they could jump in the standings and as a result be a very winnable road game for us. But, these things are always tricky, especially the night after New Years.
Even after watching every minute of the 12 games so far, I can't quite figure out how good we actually are. Are we in the top 4 of the MVC? Yeah, I think that's obvious. Top 2? Likely. But, where do we stack up against Drake? How about other potential tournament teams? Are we really just about a top 70ish team or are we really a top 30-50 team? Maybe this is still to be written and we can't really know fully yet, but this is one I had circled just to see where we really stand so far.

**tomahawk chop** · 12-30-2024, 01:03 PM

If we expect to win the Valley then this is a must win. The Valpo game came after another 8 days off so I expect for us to be much sharper come wed. night.

**daveineureka** · 12-30-2024, 01:33 PM

I expect us to be sharper come New Year's Day against Indiana St. We need to continue to improve in our post play. Box out and rebound better. Let's go get a win and come back home and keep the streak going.

**Tommy** · 12-30-2024, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by BUBraves2006 View Post

I'm really fascinated about this game for a few reasons:

Indiana State's schedule has been just lousy aside from their last game. They have a lot of bad losses in there. But, they've got two Valley wins already. Very curious to see how they actually measure up against us with so much turnover.
Was Valpo actually just better than people think? Between their game against us and Drake, it seems like its so. If so, Indiana State feels like one of the teams they could jump in the standings and as a result be a very winnable road game for us. But, these things are always tricky, especially the night after New Years.
Even after watching every minute of the 12 games so far, I can't quite figure out how good we actually are. Are we in the top 4 of the MVC? Yeah, I think that's obvious. Top 2? Likely. But, where do we stack up against Drake? How about other potential tournament teams? Are we really just about a top 70ish team or are we really a top 30-50 team? Maybe this is still to be written and we can't really know fully yet, but this is one I had circled just to see where we really stand so far.

I really like this post. Good questions and I think we're all wondering the same thing. The ISU Blue game should tell us something. Let's see how we bounce back? Who's going?

**Dub** · 12-30-2024, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by Tommy View Post

I really like this post. Good questions and I think we're all wondering the same thing. The ISU Blue game should tell us something. Let's see how we bounce back? Who's going?

I'm going.
Right now I think we're "just" a top 70 team, with a potential to be a top 30-50 team IF there is an improvement curve through Valley play. What we should be concerned with is stagnation, both with individuals and as a team. There may need to be losses and adversity to bring about the discomfort needed to climb. I hope not, but who knows.

**BUfan39** · 12-30-2024, 07:42 PM

Rebounding and post defense. Those are the two major question marks with this team right now. At this point of the season, you pretty much know who you are. But if we want to win the league, we have to at worst start rebounding better on both ends of the floor. We get our hands on so many missed shots and tip them to the other team or out of bounds without grabbing the ball. If we can have a goal of being even on the rebounding battle every game at minimum, we should be fine. I think Corey Thomas has done a nice job with his post defense at times. I’d like to continue to see him start for now as he brings some physicality that we lack.

**Da Coach** · 12-30-2024, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by BUBraves2006 View Post

I'm really fascinated about this game for a few reasons:...[*]Even after watching every minute of the 12 games so far, I can't quite figure out how good we actually are. ...

I have posted before that I see 2 significant issues with this year's team.
I'm not trying to be picky, but these couple things can get Bradley beaten by inferior teams...
1) Interior defense- Even with maybe the best group of big men in the MVC, Bradley's interior defense has not been great. BU gives up too many layups and points in the paint. And they are not rebounding well and give up too many offensive rebounds. They have the size, and depth to be much better. The Braves did hold Valpo to just 20 points in the paint, which was possibly the best job this season. So maybe they are getting that problem corrected. But they gave up 16 offensive rebounds to Valpo, which helped them get back into the game in the 2nd half.
2) Bradley depends too much on the 3-point shooting. When the perimeter shots are falling, it will win a lot of games. But every team that depends heavily on three pointers has occasional off-nights like last night's game, that almost lead to a bad loss against Valpo. Hopefully, the shooting gets back on track. But Bradley needs more scoring options for when it doesn't.

**Da Coach** · 12-30-2024, 10:06 PM

The Bradley game at Indiana State will be broadcast free over the air in Peoria and Bloomington by CW channel 25.3 - https://x.com/25NewsWEEK/status/1873839484636156251

**Steve Zalutsky** · 12-31-2024, 10:24 AM

I'm looking forward to the Indiana State Game! They beat us Twice last year. I hope we can return the favor! If Bradley wants a 1 or 2 seed for MVC tournament, this appears to be a crucial game! Right now ESPN Bracketology has 2 MVC teams making the NCAA tournament. However, it's Drake as an at-Large and Indiana State as a guarantee Bid! If we beat ISU, I'm sure that changes to Bradley and Drake! Of course, it's still way to early to figure out. However, I hope Drake Keeps winning because 1) would love to see 2 Valley schools in NCAA tourney, and 2) would love to see Drake come to Bradley on Jan.8th undefeated and Possibly Ranked in top 25! This truly would set up a dream Match at home as well as probably a chance at a Quad 1 win. In any case, the MVC tourney is probably up for grabs with most likely Drake or Bradley as favorites. I'm excited to see how 2025 plays out! Go Braves.

**Steve Zalutsky** · 12-31-2024, 10:39 AM

Unfortunately, as of Dec.31st today, ESPN Bracketology has removed 2 Valley teams to just 1 team in the NCAA tourney. As of now, only Drake gets in as the Automatic Qualifier. Even though it's just a projected early seedings probability, I still find it fun to follow! Although it's unlikely, I still believe The MVC could get 2 in the tournament. Most likely those 2 would be Drake and Bradley.

**Dubl R 1** · 12-31-2024, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by Tommy View Post

I really like this post. Good questions and I think we're all wondering the same thing. The ISU Blue game should tell us something. Let's see how we bounce back? Who's going?

I am!

**JMG 76** · 01-01-2025, 12:25 AM

I’ll be there with Dubl R!!

**Da Coach** · 01-01-2025, 12:48 PM

Bradley opened as 4.5 point favorites, and the betting line is now down to 3.5 points. - https://www.vegasinsider.com/college...indiana-state/

**Tommy** · 01-01-2025, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Dubl R 1 View Post

I am!

Well that’s a given, Dubl R! Nobody travels like you and the wife! See you there!

Announcement

Unconfigured Ad Widget 7

Final score: Bradley 90 Indiana State 89 in overtime

Final score: Bradley 90 Indiana State 89 in overtime

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Unconfigured Ad Widget 6