Final score: Bradley 73 Northern Iowa 56

[Da Coach]

Next game: Bradley (23-7, 14-5) vs. Northern Iowa (20-10, 14-5), Sunday, March 2, 1:00 pm
What's at stake:- If Bradley wins, they will be the # 2 seed in the MVC Tournament. If Bradley loses, they will be the # 3 seed.

The game is on ESPN2, and also on ESPN+ - https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player...3-f5610f5844b6
Live stats- https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Chat Room- https://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans
Tickets - https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070061309A451EFD
Act fast to get tickets. The lower bowl is nearing a sellout for this game.
Radio- https://wmbdradio.com/player/?playerID=2045

UNI beat Bradley in Cedar Falls back on Feb.2, 83-69. Bradley was the # 1 pick in the 2024-25 MVC Preseason Poll, and UNI was # 2.
UNI Links-
Schedule/results- https://unipanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Roster- https://unipanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats- https://unipanthers.com/sports/mens-.../stats/2024-25

Four UNI starters average double-figures-
6'6" 5th yr. senior G/F Tytan Anderson- 15.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 26.5% from three
6'11" senior center- Jacob Hutson- 12.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 34.4% from three
6'4" junior guard Trey Campbell- 11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 43.7% from three
6'8" junior G/F transfer from Loyola - Ben Schwieger- 10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 38.5% from three

Max Weisbrod is their other starter, since Leon Bond went down with a season-ending injury.
6'4" junior transfer guard from N. Michigan- Max Weisbrod averages- 5.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 38.8% from three

The other bench players who played significant minutes against Bradley on Feb. 2-
6'2" 5th yr transfer guard from D3 Coe College- Cael Schmidt- 3.9 ppg, 36.2% from three
6'8" freshman forward Will Hornseth- 4.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg
6'6" sophomore forward Kyle Pock- 2.0 ppg, 0.6 rpg

Bradley stats- https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats
MVC stats- https://mvc-sports.com/documents/202...Game_Stats.pdf

[yoda]

Max Weisbrod is their other starter, since Leon Bond went down with a season-ending injury....

not so fast...
Leon Bond was dressed and went thru warmups last night against UIC but stayed on the bench and did not play.
Jim Nelson, one of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier's sports guys that covers UNI said this....
"Getting set up for UNI men's final home game with UIC. Leon Bond III is going through pre-game warmups.
He looks like a go for tonight!
It will be interesting if we see Leon Bond III"

then -- "No Leon Bond III appearance, but UNI was up double-digits for 9 plus minutes in the half. No need to rush him back.

...so there's some speculation he could be available for the tournament in St. Louis.
He is not eligible for a redshirt (played in 21 games) so he wouldn't jeopardize that possibility if he does return, but....
He was said to have a partially torn patellar tendon. That is the kind of injury that you sure wouldn't want to risk rushing him back and reinjure it or rupture it completely which would require a major, and possibly career-ending surgery. So even though he might be recovered enough to play in St. Louis,
I have to think they would not want to risk it.

[LittleBrave]

Implications of a Win for BU on Sun:
1) Getting #2 seed for Arch Madness
2) Getting to 24 wins in reg. season, the most since 1985-'86!
3) Revenge on UNI
4) Ensuring fewer than 10 losses for the season, which was done most recently in 1995-'96 ( 22-8 )

What else is on the line?
5) Higher chance at 1 home game in NIT (thinking worst case here)
6) Finish #1 in nation for 3-pt. FG %
7) Send out the seniors in style

Ultimately, it will disappointing to not win Arch Madness, but we have a lot of good to reflect on from this season!

[LittleBrave]

We truly have been blessed to see the marvelous careers of Darius and Duke, and the rare return of a solid player to his first team, Zek, who has been a steady scorer and defender. I guess it's true that Once a Brave...ALWAYS a Brave!

THANK YOU BRAVES SENIORS for a memorable season and career!!!

[Tommy]

We truly have been blessed to see the marvelous careers of Darius and Duke, and the rare return of a solid player to his first team, Zek, who has been a steady scorer and defender. I guess it's true that Once a Brave...ALWAYS a Brave!

THANK YOU BRAVES SENIORS for a memorable season and career!!!

Couldn't agree more. And let's not forget CD and the all-around stud he's turned out to be on both ends of the court!

[Da Coach]

Here is Bradley promoting Senior Day for Sunday's game against UNI -
Join us as we celebrate our six graduating seniors prior to tip-off! - https://x.com/BradleyUMBB/status/1895225487917728046


Players not shown- Darius Hannah, Connor Linke, Goanar Biliew.
Hannah, Linke, and Biliew went through Senior Night last year (along with Malevy Leons). I'm guessing that is why they aren't included this year.

[LittleBrave]

Couldn't agree more. And let's not forget CD and the all-around stud he's turned out to be on both ends of the court!

Not sure how I left CD off of that! Yes, he has been great on both ends, as usually as he and Duke goes, so go the Braves.

[Steve Zalutsky]

I hope we beat Northern Iowa to secure the 2nd seed. History tells us 2nd seeds win the tournament more often then 3rd seeds.Two years ago, we were the 1st seed, but Drake as the 2nd seed beat us in the Arch Championship game! The roles could be reversed this time, and now Bradley as the 2nd seed could knock off Drake in the Final Arch game! That would be nice retribution! I may be getting ahead of myself, but I sure hope this scenario plays out! GO BRAVES!

[epistibrain]

Implications of a Win for BU on Sun:
1) Getting #2 seed for Arch Madness
2) Getting to 24 wins in reg. season, the most since 1985-'86!
3) Revenge on UNI
4) Ensuring fewer than 10 losses for the season, which was done most recently in 1995-'96 ( 22-8 )

What else is on the line?
5) Higher chance at 1 home game in NIT (thinking worst case here)
6) Finish #1 in nation for 3-pt. FG %
7) Send out the seniors in style

Ultimately, it will disappointing to not win Arch Madness, but we have a lot of good to reflect on from this season!

I was thinking about 5) as well. Of course, if they play their best in St Louis they can win it, so that’s plan A. But if I understand the new NIT rules, if Drake gets the bid then the winner Sunday very likely gets the “exempt” bid from the MVC and hosts an NIT game.

[LittleBrave]

I hope we beat Northern Iowa to secure the 2nd seed. History tells us 2nd seeds win the tournament more often then 3rd seeds.Two years ago, we were the 1st seed, but Drake as the 2nd seed beat us in the Arch Championship game! The roles could be reversed this time, and now Bradley as the 2nd seed could knock off Drake in the Final Arch game! That would be nice retribution! I may be getting ahead of myself, but I sure hope this scenario plays out! GO BRAVES!

Perfectly summarized about how most of us feel Steve.
Go BRAVES! We can STILL Prove 'em!

[daveineureka]

First things first, let's get past Northern Iowa and on to St. Louis. I will be there to cheer on the Braves. Always have a strong following of fans at the tournament. Will need them to give our support and hopefully bring the team the automatic bid. Can't wait.

[LittleBrave]

First things first, let's get past Northern Iowa and on to St. Louis. I will be there to cheer on the Braves. Always have a strong following of fans at the tournament. Will need them to give our support and hopefully bring the team the automatic bid. Can't wait.

This is CRUNCH TIME, DaveIE! EVERY game gains in importance. I will breathe a sigh of relief after each win we get from here on out, but hungry for 1 more!

[Da Coach]

I'm hearing that one or two of Bradley's 2025 commitments will be at the game.

We should have a big crowd. Ticketmaster is showing only a handful of tickets available in the lower bowl (mostly singles), and a small number of decent upper bowl tickets still available.
Here are the largest crowds so far this season (>6,000):
1/25/25- Illinois State - 9,646
2/22/25- Murray State - 7,560
12/29/24- Valparaiso- 6,201
1/8/25- Drake - 6,188
11/16/24- Northern Illinois - 6,094

An the average home attendance for MVC teams prior to today-
Bradley- 5,815
Murray St- 4,995
Indiana St- 4,776
Evansville- 4,631
Southern IL- 4,331
Illinois St- 4,111
Drake- 3,906
Northern Iowa- 3,772
Missouri St- 2,085
Belmont- 1,707
Valparaiso- 1,389
UIC- 1,339

[bigjimmy]

So far so good. BU leads 45-36. We outscored them 10-2 in the last 3:00. JJ leads us with 8 points and 5 assists

[Big Mike]

Wow...cannot remember last time I relaxed during a UNI game....so refreshing!
Congrats to the Braves for getting it done....on to St Louis!