Next game: Bradley vs. Belmont, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 8:00 pm

[Afreck2430]

Can't allow them to go the length of the floor with that little resistance. Deserve to lose

[BUfan14]

Well I’m glad Atlason still played, as he had to be close to falling out of the rotation offering almost nothing lately, and I probably would have taken him out of the rotation. It’s amazing what happens when guys play in the proper position as I’ve been harping on since the offseason. Even with minutes at the five he got to play more like a four today because Belmont was undermanned and undersized. I’ll wait to say he’s back until he’s more consistent, as I did with Burch (who didn’t have as good of a game today) last game, but this was a good game for him. Working on the mental side of the game this offseason and not getting down on himself will be key to his development.

Hannah also seemed to do better when he played in the post more. He needs to be the five and Atlason play his minutes mostly at the four.

Johnson just gets better and better. I love his game and toughness.

Sloppy play though and poor rotations defensively, stagnant offense, and good shooting from Belmont made this a rough night again. Even the normally smart Christian Davis has had a few terrible turnovers these last couple games. He played decent overall though. Duke looked a little more bouncy tonight. Just too sloppy and we need to try something other than standing there and passing the ball back and forth on offense. We’ve now lost three conference home games and are 1-3 against the upper half of the Valley at home with our one win against Illinois State.

[Big Mike]

Belmont deserves the win....if the Braves cannot improve the sloppy turnovers and sloppy defense the losing will continue!

[Da Coach]

The poor defense and turnovers cost the Braves the game. The offense and FG% were good enough to win. But 17 turnovers, which lead to 17 Belmont points can't happen against a good team.
Final score- Belmont 80 Bradley 77 - https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/media

[patrick_o'brian]

Braves are a mess right now. Their hallmark has always been defense. That’s non-existent right now. Most talented team in the conference playing like an 8th place squad. I’m sure Coach is absolutely flustered. Each game gets tougher to watch. They need to wake up! IT’S FEBRUARY!!! Should be peaking not regressing. Tough times right now.

[egib52]

I tried to listen to post game but the stream is still offline, if someone hears BW's interview, please summarize.

[tomahawk chop]

For us to tie this game up at the end was a miracle. We did that by pressing and double teaming the ball. Belmont calls a timeout and we do not send our best defenders out of the floor for the last play, makes no sense. We should have trapped Whitt with davis and Hannah and not let him make an easy pass up court. Johnson and Thomas should have been out there instead of Deen and Atlason. We seem like we cannot guard teams anymore.

[Da Coach]

MVC Standings after 13 games - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ngs/_/group/18

Bradley is now 9-4, and tied with UNI for 2nd place, 2 games behind Drake, and one game ahead of 4th place Belmont.

[carter]

What would be the reason for Coach Wardle not doing the post game show?I think that is a first.

[egib52]

For us to tie this game up at the end was a miracle. We did that by pressing and double teaming the ball. Belmont calls a timeout and we do not send our best defenders out of the floor for the last play, makes no sense. We should have trapped Whitt with davis and Hannah and not let him make an easy pass up court. Johnson and Thomas should have been out there instead of Deen and Atlason. We seem like we cannot guard teams anymore.

I don't understand why he keeps leaving Almar out there in those situations, teams attack him.

[BUfan14]

I tried to listen to post game but the stream is still offline, if someone hears BW's interview, please summarize.

What would be the reason for Coach Wardle not doing the post game show?I think that is a first.

He didn't do it. Assistant Mike Bargen did it. Dave kind of mumbled a surprised "This is a first." as he was apparently coming out but before he sat down. They did not ask him why he was sent out, which would have been my first question. Maybe there is a legit reason, but it is not a great look in my opinion.

[Big Mike]

That Coach, is not leading by example IMO!

[Landof10thcoaches]

Unfortunate, he didn’t do the post game. I am ok with that but sounds like coach is in the same funk that his team is in. Effort was better!!!! The problem is this team goes as duke goes. Duke passed to zek instead of fake pass or just pulled up towards the end of the game.Duke is thinking not doing. We had a good high low game going. Turnovers are when we put our 4 and 5 with the ball and 5 seconds to go on the shot clock. Then this forces bad ball handlers with one on one moves equals turnovers. Almar played like he should Ice in the veins. He knew he was shooting it didn’t think about it. Arch madness will still be the only way regardless a MVC team makes the NCAA tournament. Just win then!!!

[LittleBrave]

Very tough to swallow another loss after one of the best starts in school history...really thought this team was special, but lately it's more like special needs.
Losing Mal (and admittedly Hick in terms of taking care of the ball) were big for us.

Belmont just shot lights out from deep - similar to UIC.

Aside from the turnovers, I thought we played well.

Watching from home, the crowd seemed very quiet tonight. The turnovers continue to suck the life out of this team, and really is a head-scratcher at this point in the season.

The Valley for sure is tougher than it's been the last 2 seasons or more.

Hope is not gone, but now it appears BU will need to get back on the winning side and play well enough to get a Top 4 seed.
3 losses at home in conf. is unacceptable for a team of this caliber with veterans.

Only thing else I can say...A win is going to feel awfully good when it comes. (sigh)

[bigjimmy]

Not quite sure I've seen a game where our offense spent time literally in the penthouse (29-55 overall, 14-29 from 3 and 17 assists), and the outhouse (17 turnovers, giving up 11 steals). But our defense frankly has been piss poor the last 3 games. We've given up 14, 10 and 15 3 pointers and on too many occasions they have been wide open shots. Either we just don't get a hand up or we can't get through screens and don't switch. Our defensive execution has always been the hallmark for Brian Wardle teams and until we get that back our struggles will continue.