at Bradley - 01/25/2023 - 7:00 PM - MVC TV (BSIN/BSKC/BSMW/BSS/BSSE/NBCSCH)

ISU86

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Jul 17, 2017
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The Redbirds are making the short trek to Peoria for the I-74 Rivalry/War on 74 with the Braves to commence the second half of the conference season.

ISU is tied for ninth place in conference at 3-7 (8-13 overall) whereas BU is tied for fourth place at 6-4 in conference (13-8 overall).

The 'birds are led in scoring and assists by Darius Burford (11.7, 2.1) with Kendall Lewis leading in rebounding (6.6); Seneca Knight (10.6) also average double-digits. The Gargoyles are led in scoring and rebounding by Riank Mast (13.8, 8.5) with Duke Deen leading in assists (2.9); Malevy Leone (11.1) and Deen (10.7) also score in double-digits. Both teams generally go eleven deep on any given night.

According to NET Ranking, Illinois State's (262) toughest opponent was Southern Illinois (106, loss), their best win was against Belmont (115) and their worst loss was to Illinois-Chicago (289); Bradley's (76) toughest opponent was Auburn (23, loss), their best win was against Akron (114) and their worst loss was to Murray State (174).

At this point in the season, there are more common opponents than not (they each played and defeated Eastern Michigan and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the non-conference); as far as strengths, other than free-throw percentage, the Braves are better in every statistical category than the Redbirds.

Kaboom! 72, Reggie 61
 

Redbirdfan76

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Posted this first in another message thread. Reposting it here.
On another note, watching Bradley play many times this season, a few items to consider to stay with them come to mind:
Double team Mast as soon as he receives the ball. He is a decent passer, but I would rather take a chance on others shooting than Mast. He is just too good inside.

Get Duke Dean on a switch and have the screener take him into the paint. You’ll either get a good look or get fouled. Get him in foul trouble early. His back up, Weathers plays fast and doesn’t shoot well.

Get Mal open for a lot of 3 point shots. Though Bradley plays very good defense, they get lazy on defending the three point line later into the shot clock. Belmont beat them twice doing this.

Bradley plays physical similar to Mo State. Get them to foul you inside and let’s get in the bonus as quickly as possible. We won’t be able to match them bucket for bucket. We need to have a large difference in made free throws to have a chance.

If we can get Dean out, they like to put Hickman at the point(If Weathers does not play well). He has not scored much when he plays point.

Don’t let Darius Hannah go left!!!

Finally, match their physicality on the boards as much as possible.

With all that said they will come out pissed off at their loss to Belmont and will look to demolish the Birds early. Need to do something we have not done well…… play from the opening tip!!
 

Manchester Matt

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Jul 16, 2017
Messages
2,096
Posted this first in another message thread. Reposting it here.
On another note, watching Bradley play many times this season, a few items to consider to stay with them come to mind:
Double team Mast as soon as he receives the ball. He is a decent passer, but I would rather take a chance on others shooting than Mast. He is just too good inside.

Get Duke Dean on a switch and have the screener take him into the paint. You’ll either get a good look or get fouled. Get him in foul trouble early. His back up, Weathers plays fast and doesn’t shoot well.

Get Mal open for a lot of 3 point shots. Though Bradley plays very good defense, they get lazy on defending the three point line later into the shot clock. Belmont beat them twice doing this.

Bradley plays physical similar to Mo State. Get them to foul you inside and let’s get in the bonus as quickly as possible. We won’t be able to match them bucket for bucket. We need to have a large difference in made free throws to have a chance.

If we can get Dean out, they like to put Hickman at the point(If Weathers does not play well). He has not scored much when he plays point.

Don’t let Darius Hannah go left!!!

Finally, match their physicality on the boards as much as possible.

With all that said they will come out pissed off at their loss to Belmont and will look to demolish the Birds early. Need to do something we have not done well…… play from the opening tip!!
Hoping that Bradley isn't the only team pissed after their last loss.
 

cubird

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Jul 19, 2017
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2,350
Even if he plays...it will probably only be sparingly. However, the team needs any quality minutes they can get.
 

gobirds85

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Jul 17, 2017
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Espn does not like our chances. They give us a hearty 7% likelihood of pulling this one out. So the optimist says we have a punchers chance in this one...sort of.
 

SlackBooDom

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Oct 23, 2022
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324
Bradley is one of the best defensive teams in the country at the mid-major level. Will be remarkable if we stay under 20 turnovers and score 50 points.
 
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