Final score: Bradley 74 Murray State 61

[NashvilleBU]

I think there has been shift since sitting Almar more and playing more Corey Thomas and Connor Dillon.

Almar has been given plenty of chances and if he’s not hitting his 3’s, he’s such a liability on D, not worth it. Plays 2-3 mins yesterday and gets 2 quick fouls for not moving his feet. I hope he can turn it on come down the stretch cause we will need him.

Corey Thomas has been rebounding well, not turning it over and hitting open 3’s. Connor has been a solid option for open 3’s and can get to the basket for tough shots. Also, he plays tough D and doesn’t make many mistakes.

[bradleyfan124]

I thought Murray State was a good team. I can see how they beat Drake and UNI. They get hot and stay consistent they can be dangerous. Almar is one of my favorites but I think he is in a slump. He will just have to play his way out of it. I remember Michael Jordan missed 9 straight shots in a game but the second half he came out and scored 26 points. I think Corey is getting used to the play of Division 1. And Connor's back is letting him play better. As long as Almar does not get discouraged he will get back in the groove

[Da Coach]

Final score- Bradley 74 Murray State 61 - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=548231

Solid team win both offensively- 53.2% FG%, 7-18 from three, and 17-19 on FTs, and defensively- held Murray to 61 points and 41.7% FG%, and outrebounded them 28-25.

Thank goodness for Corey Thomas. He had another terrific game. 16 points in just 21 minutes of playing time. He had a +16 in the Plus/minus stat, and was the top Bradley player in the Efficiency Rating (22- click on Visitors Stats, then on the Analytics tab))..
He was 5-6 from the floor, 2-3 on three pointers, and 4-4 from the free throw line. Corey also tied for team-high with 6 rebounds and he had 2 assists.
Darius (16 points, 6 rebounds) and Duke (18 points, 5 assists )had great games, but no other player had more than 6 points.
I've said it many times, IMO he needs to get 25-30 minutes if he can avoid foul trouble for Bradley to be at their best.

Corey Thomas was yesterday's Ameren Illinois Player of the Game. Congrats to Corey! - https://x.com/BradleyUMBB/status/1880993715294032123

[tomahawk chop]

I would say first of all the Valley is not going to get any at large bids whether they deserve them or not period. Secondly I believe winning at Murray St. is tougher then at Belmont. Belmont can score but they are not great defensively so going into these two road games I liked our chances at beating Belmont a lot more so we just need to go in there and beat them. The team is playing much better now because they are rebounding better, playing more physically and the offensive patterns have changed the last two games. We need to go to Nashville and prove we are the best team.

[Da Coach]

Bradley's NET improved from 82 to 74 after the Indiana State win, and it improved further to 65 after yesterday's win at Murray State - https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basket...l-net-rankings

[Dub]

I think there has been shift since sitting Almar more and playing more Corey Thomas and Connor Dillon.

Almar has been given plenty of chances and if he’s not hitting his 3’s, he’s such a liability on D, not worth it. Plays 2-3 mins yesterday and gets 2 quick fouls for not moving his feet. I hope he can turn it on come down the stretch cause we will need him.

Corey Thomas has been rebounding well, not turning it over and hitting open 3’s. Connor has been a solid option for open 3’s and can get to the basket for tough shots. Also, he plays tough D and doesn’t make many mistakes.

I don’t know if it’s related to Almars play time or not…. But for 2 games in a row the flow and ball movement on the offensive end are night and day different from the 4-5 games prior to that. Fluid. Popping. That hesitant, tentative, weak handed perimeter passing has been replaced by a precise, dissective surgical movement of the ball. Keep it up Braves!

[Steve Zalutsky]

Great Win at Murray State! It appears coach Wardle has found the right players such as Corey Thomas who is superb of the Bench! We seem to be in a groove now offensively and defensively and I hope it continues vs. Belmont!