• Welcome to BradleyFans.com! Visitors are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up and register as a member. It's free and takes only a few seconds. Just click on the link to Register at the top right of the page, and follow instructions. If you have any problems or questions, click on the link at the bottom right of the page to Contact Us.

ISU - BU rivalry ?

T

tpguy1

New member
Do you guys think that the current love affair we all have for the MVC has taken a front seat to our rivalry? It seems to me there is a lot less bad blood between us since we all started pulling more for the sucess of the Valley as a whole, especially OOC games.

Two or three years ago, I couldn't see myself pulling for BU to win, but sure have changed my tune the last couple of years.

Your thoughts?
 
I think thats a pretty fair assessment. I think it's had to calm just a little bit because it's imperative to each team that the other is strong as far as post season success is concerned. I don't think it's any different in the case of how much we want (and expect) to beat ISU head-to-head, but I do root for them in non-con games. Though once it comes to MVC games I don't really care...
 
OOC, I root for all valley teams. Would love for everybody to be undefeated coming into the conference season.

Once the valley season starts though ... then I root for BU and whoever plays ISU. :-)
 
Why shouldn't we root for each other? Sure, when we play each other it's a different story, but the rest of the time it helps all of us to succeed as a conference.
 
tpguy1 said:
Do you guys think that the current love affair we all have for the MVC has taken a front seat to our rivalry? It seems to me there is a lot less bad blood between us since we all started pulling more for the sucess of the Valley as a whole, especially OOC games.

Two or three years ago, I couldn't see myself pulling for BU to win, but sure have changed my tune the last couple of years.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

TPguy,

I think that is a factor. I also think that over the last decade or so you have always had one team better than the other, that will dampen a rivalry.

I grew up in the Bloom-Normal area in the 80's as a Bradley fan so I know first hand about this rivalry, believe me.

But, here is the biggest difference today v. the old days. IMO we have alot more access to one another today than we did back then we talk online as fans, we have a better knowledge of the players and coaches because of the information that is availble. A lack of information makes it much easier to "dislike" someone or a school. While I think B-N and Peoria are two differenct places and ISU and BU are certainly different types of school. "Knowing" the other makes it much more difficult to assume that "they" are bad people or poor sports or cheaters, etc.
 
tpguy1 said:
Do you guys think that the current love affair we all have for the MVC has taken a front seat to our rivalry? It seems to me there is a lot less bad blood between us since we all started pulling more for the sucess of the Valley as a whole, especially OOC games.

Two or three years ago, I couldn't see myself pulling for BU to win, but sure have changed my tune the last couple of years.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...


I think you are right. But I think the higher level of civility between fans of the 2 schools is a good thing. Most of the animosity arose back when there was a genuine hatred between Dick Versace and Bob Donewald. The personalities of Jim Molinari, Jim Les, Porter Moser, and Tim Jankovich are/were too nice to allow those days to return.
 
Mike Radigan said:
Why shouldn't we root for each other? Sure, when we play each other it's a different story, but the rest of the time it helps all of us to succeed as a conference.
Click to expand...

I couldnt agree more. when any of the "bottom" teams are winning, it makes the conference that much stronger.
 
I never want ISU to be good, but maybe that's just me. Not that I wouldn't give them props for a good win or anything, but they are our rival, and I don't want them to succeed.
 
BUBraves06 said:
I never want ISU to be good, but maybe that's just me. Not that I wouldn't give them props for a good win or anything, but they are our rival, and I don't want them to succeed.
Click to expand...

Anybody that knows me, would know that is how I felt about BU. I was probably the worst BU basher on Redbirdfan.com. I'm changing.............who knows you might get bitten by the bug too someday.

I remember the day I told my daughter not to bring the word "Bradley" up again when looking at schools. (it was a joke) She then went to U of I (I could have puked)
 
I will never forget how BU fans were treated in B-N ever since isu was allowed to join the MVC. I haven't been back since the Versace years. Never heard a crowd so vulgar toward another coach, team or opposing fans. They were a Division 1 team with Division 3 fans. Hope things have changed. Go whoever plays isu.
 
I will be for all Valley teams until conference starts! After that it"s BRADLEY and whoever helps them........oh yeah......once the Valley season starts I never pull for isu!:mrgreen:
 
Conference

Conference

Hey I always cheer for the MVC schools in the preseason.
Then when the conference starts I like the Illinois schools.
I think the heart of the Valley is in these three schools.
That is the way it is going to be. That said, I still love BU.
Wing
 
My sentiments toward ISU and the rest of the MVC are captured in these immortal words from Fiddler on the Roof (now where is my bottle, dang it)

We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnapps in honor of
the great good luck that favors you,
We know that when good fortune favors two such men,
it stands to reason, we deserve it too!
To us and our good fortune!
Be happy, be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes,
Here's to whatever comes,
Drink la kayim, to life!
 
it's boogie time said:
I think you have received some incorrect info, Bert. Bradley and ISU played three times in 2001, not 1999.
Click to expand...

That'll teach me to drive and surf....
icon12.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top