PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Basketball fans will get the their first opportunity to see the 2008-09 men's and women's basketball teams Tuesday night when the Department of Athletics hosts the annual Meet the Teams Athletic Benefit at the ITOO Society Hall on Farmington Road.

Tickets for the event are $12 for adults, $5 for children and $30 for families (two adults and up to four children) and will be available for purchase only at the door.  Doors will open at 5 p.m., dinner will be served by Bradley Athletics staff members beginning at 5:30 and the men's and women's basketball teams will be introduced at 7 o'clock. 

Following Tuesday's Meet the Teams Athletic Benefit, both the men's and women's basketball teams will begin preparations for the 2008-09 season with the nationwide start of practice Friday evening.  The Bradley women then will play the first of their two exhibition games Sunday, Nov. 2 (7:05 p.m.) against NCAA Division II Lewis University at Illinois Central College, while the men also will open the exhibition season against Lewis on Monday, Nov. 3 (7:05 p.m.) at Carver Arena.  Tickets for the exhibition opener also will be available for purchase during the Athletic Benefit.

The men's exhibition opener will be the featured attraction of the inaugural Bradley Basketball “Fandemonium” experience at Carver Arena.  Similar to previous years, the exhibition opener will not be part of the 2008-09 men's basketball season-ticket package.  Instead, fans may purchase $10 general admission tickets for the game.  Tickets for the preseason opener currently are available at the Shea Stadium Box Office (1523 W. Nebraska Ave.) or online at BradleyBraves.com.

With their game ticket, fans may experience “Fandemonium” in the Peoria Civic Center Hall D.  “Fandemonium” doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and the exhibit hall will be divided into four quadrants of activities, which will begin at 5 o'clock.  Serveral basketball hoops will be set up in the Games and Contests Zone and the Methodist Family Fun Zone will feature a quartet of inflatable activities, face painting and a balloon artist.  Head Coach Jim Les will be available for autographs from 5-6 p.m. in the Braves “Interaction” Zone and refreshments will be available in the fourth area.