Game 29 ? Bradley Braves (18-10, 9-7 MVC) at VCU Rams (22-5, 14-2 CAA)
Tipoff: Sat., Feb. 17, 2007 ? 7:05 p.m. (CST)
Location: Richmond, Va. ? Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center (7,500)
Television: ESPN2 ? Jon Sciambi (play-by-play) and Adrian Branch (analyst)
Radio: WMBD AM 1470 (www.wmbdradio.com) -- Dave Snell (play-by-play) and Joe Stowell (analyst)
2007 O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters
? With both teams involved in heated conference races, Bradley visits VCU Saturday night for a prime-time matchup in the 2007 O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters.
? Sitting atop the Colonial Athletic Association standings, VCU becomes the third league-leader on Bradley's schedule this year: the Braves dealt Horizon League leader Wright State an 88-49 defeat Dec. 5 in Peoria and split its regular-season series against current Missouri Valley Conference leader Southern Illinois.
? Bradley is one of six Valley teams playing in the televised BracketBusters package and the six opponents of the MVC teams have combined for a 130-27 (.828) record, an average of 21.7 wins and only 4.5 losses.
MVC Matchups TV Time (CST)
Friday, Feb. 16
Winthrop (Big South) at Missouri St. ESPN2 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17
Appalachian St. (SoCon) at Wichita St. ESPNU Noon
#15 S. Illinois at #12 Butler (Horizon) ESPN2 3 p.m.
UNI at #10 Nevada (WAC) ESPN2 5 p.m.
Bradley at VCU (CAA) ESPN2 7 p.m.
Drexel (Colonial) at Creighton ESPN2 9 p.m.
Miami-Ohio (MAC) at Indiana State N/A 1:05 p.m.
Evansville at Samford (OVC) N/A 2 p.m.
Ball State (MAC) at Illinois State N/A 4:05 p.m.
UW-Milwaukee (Horizon) at Drake N/A 7:05 p.m.
Bradley-VCU Series
? Bradley owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time series against VCU and the home team has won all three previous meetings.
? Bradley won the first meeting in 1970, then split a two-year, home-and-home series during the 1989 calendar year.
? Bradley owns a 10-3 all-time record against the current Colonial Athletic Association membership, most recently downing then America East member Northeastern, 92-86, in the second round of the 2003 Las Vegas Invitational at Carver Arena.
Bradley Leads 2-1
Home: 2-0 Away: 0-1 Neutral: 0-0
12-01-70 Robertson Fieldhouse W 102-70
02-08-89 Carver Arena W 75-70
12-14-89 at VCU L 66-89
Hidden Series Notes
? Although Saturday's game will be the first-ever head coaching matchup between Bradley's Jim Les and VCU's Anthony Grant, the two did face each other as college players on Jan. 13, 1986 when Les' Braves downed Grant's Dayton team in an ovetime thriller.
? Two days after Les threw a length-of-the-court rainbow to Hersey Hawkins for a buzzer-beating layup to beat Drake, the duo hooked up again on a variation of the same play for another buzzer-beater to force overtime in the eventual 79-77 Bradley win.
? The 1986 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Player of the Year, Les played all 45 minutes in that game, finishing with 24 points and 10 assists.
? A junior forward for the Flyers, Grant played 44 of the 45 minutes and put up a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
? Grant also played for Dayton when the Flyers visited Bradley in 1987, a 90-79 Braves win, posting another double-double with 16 points and 11 boards.
? Although Bradley and VCU are not common opponents in any sport, the two schools did meet immediately following a tragic date in U.S. history.
? The men's soccer teams from both schools were scheduled to compete in the 2001 Richmond/NIKE Classic, but due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks that week, the tournament was cancelled after the Braves had already arrived in Richmond.
? VCU agreed to host the Braves Sept. 15, 2001 and the two teams played to a scoreless draw in Bradley's first sporting event following the attacks.
Three-Headed Monsters
? Both Bradley and VCU are led in scoring by a trio of guards.
? Bradley's combination of senior Will Franklin and juniors Jeremy Crouch and Daniel Ruffin have combined for 43.3 points per game, 192 total 3-pointers and 12.0 assists per game.
? VCU's top three scorers are senior guards B.A. Walker and Jesse Pellot-Rosa and junior guard Eric Maynor, a trio that combines for 42.9 points per game, 143 total 3-pointers and 9.7 assists per game.
Mirror Images
? Both playing guard heavy lineups, Bradley and VCU join UNLV as the only three teams in the nation averaging more than 75 points and fewer than 12 turnovers per game.
? Bradley averages 76.2 points and the top three scorers are guards who combine for 43.3 points per game.
? VCU averages 75.9 points and the top three scorers are guards who combine for 42.9 points per game.
? Bradley commits only 11.4 turnovers per game and forces the opposition into 16.1 turnovers per game.
? VCU commits 11.1 miscues and forces 16.4 turnovers per game.
The Re-Making of the Braves
? Dominated by losses to its front line, Bradley lost 66.9 percent of its scoring and 65.0 percent of its rebounding from the 2006-06 squad that went 22-11 and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
? Bradley lost five players from last year's team -- 7-foot center Patrick O'Bryant as an early entry lottery pick in the NBA Draft, as well as graduates 6-7 power forward Marcellus Sommerville (France), 6-foot-4 small forward Lawrence Wright (Harlem Globetrotters), 6-foot guard Tony Bennett (ABA) and 7-foot-1 center Brandyn Heemskerk.
? Fifth-year head coach Jim Les has re-designed the Bradley scheme, primarily utilizing an eight-man rotation built around six returning players and two newcomers in a four-guard attack.
? The changes have produced an 18-10 record to date and one of the nation's most prolific 3-point shooting attacks -- Bradley is second nationally in both 3-pt. field goal percentage (.429) and third in treys per game (10.3).
Points from Within
? As mentioned, Bradley lost five players from last year's Sweet 16 squad who combined for 1,577 of the team's 2,359 (66.9 percent) points.
? The Braves have received only 360 of 2135 (16.9 percent) points from newcomers this year.
? The bulk of Bradley's offensive production is the result of improved contributions from six returning players, including five players who have more than doubled their scoring averages from last season.
? The other nine teams in The Valley have combined to produce seven players who have at least doubled their scoring averages this season.
Tough Schedule
? Bradley's strength of schedule ranks as the 23rd-best in the country, according to numbers posted at www.collegerpi.com through games of Feb. 15.
? Bradley's strength of schedule is the best in The Valley, just ahead of Creighton at No. 25.
Dividing Line Set at 75
? Bradley has won 23 of the last 26 games in which the Braves have held the opposition to fewer than 75 points, a stretch that dates back to Feb. 11, 2006.
? Conversely, the Braves have lost 10 of their last 14 games when allowing at least 75 points during the same time span.
? Two of the three losses in the last 25 games when allowing fewer than 75 points came against Southern Illinois -- 59-46 in last year's MVC Tournament championship game and 60-50 Feb. 7 in Carbondale.
? VCU averages 75.9 points per game and is 16-0 when hitting for at least 75, but 6-5 when scoring less than 75.
Blistering 3-Point Pace
? Often utilizing a four-guard lineup, it should not come as a surprise that Bradley has been bombing away from 3-point land this year.
? Aided by a Valley record-tying 20 3-pointers Nov. 21 versus Florida A&M, Bradley ranks second nationally by shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range and third by averaging 10.3 treys per game.
National Leaders -- 3-Point Field Goal Pct.
Through Feb. 15
Rk. School 3FG% 3FGM-A
1. Northern Arizona .438 187-427
2. Bradley .429 288-672
3. Florida .427 194-454
4. Air Force .425 239-563
5. Texas Tech .424 161-380
National Leaders -- 3-Point Field Goals/Game
Through Feb. 15
Rk. School GP 3FGM 3FG/Gm
1. Virginia Military 28 388 13.9
2. Houston 24 257 10.7
3. Bradley 28 288 10.3
4. West Virginia 25 254 10.2
Wofford 25 254 10.2
Chasing the 3-Point Records
? Having already broken the single-season school record for 3-pointers in a season, Bradley needs just six more treys to break Creighton's 2005 Missouri Valley Conference single-season record of 293 3-pointers.
Bradley's Dozens
? Prior to the 2006-07 season, Bradley had made as many as 12 3-pointers in a game a total of just six times in the first 20 years of the 3-point line in college basketball.
? So far this season, the Braves have made at least 12 3-pointers 10 times, most recently with 13 Wednesday at Evansville.
Bradley's Bomb Squad
? According to mid-season statistics released by the NCAA, the national average for 3-point field goal percentage was .3501.
? Eight Bradley players have combined for the team's 288 3-pointers and seven of the eight players are shooting at least 39.3 percent from long range.
Player 3FGM-A Pct.
Brian Lavin 1-2 .500
Jeremy Crouch 62-125 .496
Andrew Warren 18-38 .474
Danny Adams 55-124 .444
Will Franklin 77-175 .440
Matt Salley 4-10 .400
Daniel Ruffin 53-135 .393
J.J. Tauai 18-57 .316
Four with 50 3-Pointers
? Well on its way to breaking the Missouri Valley Conference single-season record for 3-point field goals, Bradley now has four players with at least 50 treys this season (see list above), a first in school history.
? This season marks just the third in school history that at least two Bradley players have made 50 3-pointers in a season.
? Bradley and VMI (five) are the only two schools in the nation that currently boast at least four players with 50 treys -- no other team currently has more than two.
Other Records in Sight
? The already-broken team record for 3-pointers in a season is not the only mark in sight for the Braves this year.
? The Braves also are on pace to challenge the single-season school records for 3-point field goal percentage, steals and turnover margin.
? Individually, senior guard Will Franklin is slightly off the pace to break Aaron Zobrist's 1997 record for individual 3-point field goals, but junior guard Jeremy Crouch is primed to break Zobrist's mark for 3-point field goal percentage.
Team Stat 2006-07 Record
3FG% 42.9 39.1%, 1987-88
Steals* 242 303, 1986 and 1982
Turnover Margin +4.7 +4.7, 1980-81
* Need 36 games to break the record at the current pace of 8.64 steals per game
Individual 3FGM in a Season
Record: 90, Aaron Zobrist, 1996-97
2006-07: 77, Will Franklin (2.8/gm)
Individual 3FG% in a Season (1.0 3FGM/gm)
Record: .460, Aaron Zobrist (80-174), 1994-95
2006-07 Contenders:
.496, Jeremy Crouch (62-125)
.444, Danny Adams (55-124)
.440, Will Franklin (77-175)
Deep Backcourt
? Seven of Bradley's nine returning lettermen are backcourt players and six guards are playing prominent roles for the Braves in the early going.
? Bradley's top three scorers, as well as six of the top eight, are guards: Will Franklin (15.4), Jeremy Crouch (14.1 ppg), Daniel Ruffin (13.8), J.J. Tauai (6.7), Danny Adams (6.6) and Andrew Warren (4.5).
Let Me Assist You
? For just the fifth time in school history, and still with at least four games remaining, Bradley boasts two players with triple-digit assist totals: Daniel Ruffin with 137 and Will Franklin with 115.
? Bradley is one of eight teams in the nation with multiple 100-assist players, joining Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Marquette, Michigan State, Villanova, VMI and West Virginia.
? Bradley had not had two 100-assist players in a single season since the 1995-96 Missouri Valley Conference championship campaign.
Two Braves with 100 Assists
Season Player (Assists) Player (Assists)
2006-07 Daniel Ruffin (137) Will Franklin (115)
1995-96 Billy Wright (166) Anthony Parker (105)
1987-88 Anthony Manuel (373) Hersey Hawkins (111)
1986-87 Anthony Manuel (237) Hersey Hawkins (103)
1985-86 Jim Les (275) Trevor Trimpe (127)
Hersey Hawkins (104)
Spreading the Wealth
? Junior forward Matt Salley led the Braves with a career-best 18 points Jan. 18 at Creighton, becoming the seventh player to lead Bradley in scoring this year: Will Franklin (eight times), Daniel Ruffin (seven), Jeremy Crouch (six), Zach Andrews (three), Danny Adams (twice), J.J. Tauai (twice) and Salley (at Creighton).
20-Somethings
? The Braves also have featured six different 20-point scorers in the first 28 games: Jeremy Crouch (four times), Will Franklin (four), Danny Adams (Florida A&M), Zach Andrews (Illinois-Chicago), Daniel Ruffin (at UNI) and J.J. Tauai (SIU-Edwardsville).
Possessions Game
? Ranked ninth in The Valley in scoring defense (71.2) and field goal percentage defense (.464), Bradley's defensive success has been based on turnovers.
? Leading the league with 8.6 steals per game, Bradley also leads The Valley with a +4.7 turnover margin.
? The turnover differential has allowed Bradley to get off 125 more field goal attempts than their opponents.
? The added shots have allowed the Braves to outscore their opponents by an average of 5.0 points per game.
Up Tempo, but Under Control
? In addition to its proficiency from long range, another advantage of Bradley's deep backcourt is the ability to play at a quick pace, but under control.
? Including three games with at least 100 points, Bradley leads The Valley by averaging 76.2 points per game.
? Despite the uptempo style, Bradley is tied for seventh nationally by averaging only 11.4 turnovers per game.
? Bradley and VCU (75.9 points, 11.1 turnovers) are the only two teams in the nation averaging at least 75.5 points and fewer than 11.5 turnovers per game.
Disadvantage on the Boards
? The most glaring disadvantage of Bradley's small lineup has been the team's inability to consistently keep the opposition off the boards.
? Bradley is being outrebounded by a league-worst 7.4 boards per game and has lost the rebound fight in 22 of the 28 games to date, including each of the last nine games.
Managing the Deficit
? Bradley has shown this season that it does not have to win the battle of the boards to succeed, however, but the Braves must remain in the fight.
? Bradley is 15-1 when the Braves are at least within six rebounds of their opponent, but 3-9 when the Braves are outrebounded by more than six boards.
? Although the Braves broke the trend when they were outrebounded, 40-23, Wednesday at Evansville, Bradley did build a 42-27 halftime lead by outrebounding the Purple Aces, 17-12.
Experience Matters
? Bradley may have a new look in 2006-07, but the Braves are playing with experienced players.
? The average age of the top seven players in Bradley's rotation is 21.4 years old and junior Matt Salley, who turned 21 Jan. 28, is the “baby” of the group.
