Game 26 ? Evansville (15-9) at Bradley (13-12) ? Feb. 14, 2009 ? 1:05 p.m. ? Peoria, Ill. ? Carver Arena
15th Valley Game, First Look at Evansville
PEORIA, Ill. ? Trying to snap its season-long four-game losing streak, Bradley returns home for a two-game homestand, beginning with a Saturday afternoon Missouri Valley Conference game against Evansville. As they prepare for their 15th round of league play, Saturday's game will be the season's first meeting between Bradley and Evansville, who enter the contest at Carver Arena tied for fourth in The Valley standings with 7-7 league records.
Game Information
TV: Comcast (Frank Bussone and Dick Versace) ? Comcast 78, Mediacom 74
Radio: 1470 WMBD (Dave Snell, Joe Stowell and Chuck Buescher)
Video Stream: BradleyBraves.com
Live Stats: BradleyBraves.com
Tickets: Available, $8-20
Series: Bradley leads 19-13
Last: Bradley, 72-59, Feb. 2, 2008 at Evansville
Bradley Braves
2008-09 Record: 13-12
Missouri Valley: 7-7
Head Coach: Jim Les (Bradley '86)
Career: 118-102 (7th year)
at Bradley: Same
Website: www.BradleyBraves.com
Evansville Purple Aces
2008-09 Record: 15-9
Missouri Valley: 7-7
Head Coach: Marty Simmons (Evansville '87)
Career: 122-103 (8th year)
at Evansville: 24-30 (2nd year)
Website: www.gopurpleaces.com
Starting Five
? Bradley will try to snap its season-long four-game losing streak at home when the Braves host Evansville in
a 1:05 p.m. Valentine's Day game at Carver Arena.
? For the second year in a row (Creighton last year), it has taken 15 rounds of league play before Bradley has faced one of its league rivals for the first time.
? Bradley and Evansville are tied for fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings and face the possibility of facing each other three times in a six-game period.
? Bradley has won three straight Valentine's Day games, as well as five of its last seven on Feb. 14, most recently a 72-71 win at Evansville in 2007.
? Bradley owns a 19-13 lead in the all-time series against Evansville and the current six-game winning streak against the Purple Aces equals Bradley's longest against a Valley rival in the Jim Les coaching era (2002-09).
105th Season
? Now in its 105th men's basketball season, Bradley is 26th in NCAA Division I history with 1,529 wins.
? Bradley played its first men's basketball game Jan. 1, 1903 defeating a YMCA program known as the Invincibles, 12-8.
Postseason Streak
? The Braves are attempting to reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive season, a streak the program has not enjoyed since 1994-97.
? In addition, Bradley has won at least one postseason game in each of the last three years, an accomplishment only previously achieved from 1949-51.
Style of Play
? Due in large part to the loss of all-star big men Patrick O'Bryant (early entry NBA lottery pick) and Marcellus Sommerville (graduation) following the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 season, head coach Jim Les installed a “spread motion” offense modeled after the Phoenix Suns' system in 2006-07.
? Bradley has recruited to the system for three years and has assembled an athletic, skilled lineup that continues to fit with the uptempo style of play.
? The system often utilizes a four-guard attack and has helped Bradley rank seventh nationally with 839 3-pointers the last three years and finish among the two highest-scoring teams in The Valley the last two years.
? More notably, Bradley has won at least 21 games three consecutive seasons and is tied for eighth nationally with seven postseason wins the last three years.
New-Look Braves
? While returning seven lettermen from the 2007-08 squad, Bradley is working six newcomers and a redshirt freshman into the lineup this season.
? Bradley entered the season with only two scholarship players boasting more than one year of experience in the program -- fifth-year senior center Sam Singh and junior guard Andrew Warren, both of whom have missed games this season due to injury.
Unique Staff Makeup
? Bradley's coaching staff is believed to be one of just two in the country to boast two staff members with NCAA Tournament head coaching victories.
? Seventh-year head coach Jim Les led the Braves to the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, while second-year Bradley assistant Steve Merfeld coached Hampton to the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament.
? North Carolina assistant Steve Robinson led Tulsa (1997) and Florida State (1998) to NCAA Tourney wins.
Graduate Players
? For the fourth consecutive year, Bradley's roster features a player who already owns his degree.
? Fifth-year senior center Sam Singh received his bachelor's degree in communications-public relations during commencement ceremonies May 17, 2008.
? Previously, Brandyn Heemskerk (?05), Danny Adams (?06) and Daniel Ruffin (?07) all earned their degrees before completing their eligibility the following season.
Injury Bug Bites Again
? For the third consecutive year, the injury bug has taken a big bite out of the Bradley lineup.
? Junior guard Andrew Warren, the team's top returning scorer (13.2 ppg in 2007-08), will not play this season due to a stress fracture in his right foot.
? Sophomore center Will Egolf, who was making his third career start, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee with 10:02 remaining Nov. 29 versus East Tennessee State and underwent season-ending surgery Dec. 18.
? Senior center Sam Singh suffered a broken nose Dec. 14 and missed the next two games after undergoing corrective surgery Dec. 17.
? The injury losses left the Braves with just three returning scholarship players during Singh's absence and Singh is now the only scholarship player with as many as two full seasons of experience in the program.
Newcomer Impact
? With junior guard Andrew Warren (foot) and sophomore forward Will Egolf (knee) unavailable, Bradley's rotation now features six newcomers and four returning players.
? The six newcomers -- Dodie Dunson (28.1 mpg), Chris Roberts (24.6), Eddren McCain (24.5), Darian Norris (12.4), Taylor Brown (12.1) and Anthony Thompson (4.6) -- have combined for 2578 of the team's 5000 total minutes played -- 51.6 percent.
? The six rookies also combine to average 32.2 points per game, compared to 32.5 ppg by the four returning players in the current rotation.
About Evansville
? One of The Valley's most experienced teams entering the 2008-09 season, Evansville returned all five starters for second-year head coach Marty Simmons.
? Coming off last year's 9-21 season, the Purple Aces raced to a 9-2 start with the two losses coming to current Top 15 teams Butler and North Carolina.
? While Evansville has been particularly strong at home (13-3), they are just 2-6 on the road.
? Evansville is 4-6 in its last 10 games.
? Since its 80-50 loss at Illinois State Dec. 31, 11 of Evansville's last 12 games have been decided by single digits and its last six games have been decided by a total of only 24 points.
? The Purple Aces are led by the senior duo of wing Shye Ely, the league's leading scorer at 17.2 points per game, and guard Jason Holsinger, the league's active career scoring leader with 1,329 points.
Bradley-Evansville Series
? Saturday's game will be the 33rd meeting in the all-time series between Bradley and Evansville, which dates back to a 77-68 Purple Aces victory in a non-conference meeting Dec. 22, 1986 at Roberts Stadium.
? Since Bradley won the return game, 93-80, Dec. 22, 1987 at Carver Arena, the remaining 30 games have been played as Valley rivals since Evansville joined the league in 1994-95.
? Bradley owns a 19-13 lead and the Braves have won six straight against the Purple Aces, as well as eight of the last nine.
Streaks Against Valley Rivals
? Bradley's current six-game winning streak against Evansville equals the longest the Braves have enjoyed against another Valley rival in the Jim Les coaching era (2002-09).
? The Braves also won six straight against Illinois State from Feb. 23, 2005 through Jan. 23, 2008.
Bradley Winning Streaks Against MVC Rivals
Team Wins Dates
North Texas 22 1/4/58-2/24/68
Tulsa 13 1/12/57-1/3/63
Drake 12 12/23/93-2/27/98
Southern Illinois 10 2/2/84-1/19/89
Indiana State 10 1/21/80-2/26/83
Indiana State 9 2/12/87-1/19/91
Wichita State 9 1/23/58-1/6/62
Indiana State 8 2/17/93-2/16/97
Creighton 8 3/5/85-3/6/88
West Texas State 8 2/19/83-3/3/86
Northern Iowa 7 2/26/94-2/18/97
Drake 7 1/18/58-12/27/60
Wichita State 7 1/15/49-1/7/56
Evansville 6 1/14/06-Active
Seven other times, most recently
Illinois State 6 2/23/05-1/23/08
Scoring In Threes
? Bradley is seventh nationally with 839 total treys since the start of 2006-07.
? Bradley became the first-ever Missouri Valley Conference team to make as many as 300 3-pointers in a season with 349 during the 2006-07 season and the Braves followed with 346 more last season.
Changing Gears
? Bradley entered the season as one of the nation's most proficient 3-point shooting teams the last two years and the Braves still rank seventh nationally with 839 3-pointers since the start of the 2006-07 campaign.
? During a 5-5 start to the season, the Braves were averaging 21.3 3-point field goal attempts per game, but were shooting just 28.6 percent from behind the arc.
? During the last 15 games, however, the Braves have become more selective with their long range shooting, averaging only 15.5 3-point attempts per game, but are connecting on 35.8 percent of those tries.
? 3-Point Shooting breakdown on the next page.
Bradley's 3-Point Shooting Breakdown
1st 10 Last 15
Record 5-5 8-7
3FGA/gm 21.3 15.5
3FGM/gm 6.1 5.5
3FG% .286 .358
FG% .412 .447
In Search of 500 Valley Wins
? Now in its 57th year of Missouri Valley Conference membership, Bradley enters its two-game homestand with 498 all-time league wins.
? Bradley's 498 Valley victories are second-most in league history, trailing only the 511 wins by Drake, which is in its 97th year of league membership.
Carver Arena - Home of the Braves
? The Peoria Civic Center's Carver Arena has served as the Bradley men's basketball program's home arena since the start of the 1982-83 season.
? Now in its 27th year playing in downtown Peoria, Bradley will enter Saturday's game versus Evansville with a 292-94 (.756) record at Carver Arena.
? The Braves own a 164-64 (.719) Valley record at Carver Arena.
? The Braves are 8-3 at home so far this year.
? Bradley is 15-4 all-time when playing in front of a home crowd in excess of 11,000, including 2-0 this year.
All-Time Bradley Home Crowds of 11,000
1. 11,597 #9 Michigan State 12-7-07 L, 61-66
2. 11,592 Illinois State 1-6-09 W, 56-52
3. 11,444 Illinois State 1-24-07 W, 88-67
4. 11,430 #15 Illinois 11-22-99 L, 62-72
5. 11,421 Illinois State 1-23-08 W, 76-75
6. 11,335 Creighton 2-16-08 W, 87-59
7. 11,320 Indiana State 1-8-00 W, 62-51
8. 11,309 Illinois State 2-21-01 W, 64-52
9. 11,207 Illinois State 2-22-97 W, 69-64
10. 11,164 Illinois State 2-1-06 W, 73-44
11. 11,161 Southern Illinois 1-17-04 L, 62-72
12. 11,117 VCU 12-22-07 L, 64-79
13. 11,080 Wichita State 1-20-07 W, 78-63
11,080 DePaul 11-11-06 W, 78-58
15. 11,079 Southern Illinois 2-26-00 W, 71-63
16. 11,033 Indiana State 1-24-09 W, 68-56
17. 11,030 Illinois State (OT) 2-10-99 W, 74-70
18. 11,007 Indiana State 2-24-07 W, 74-58
19. 11,006 Indiana State 2-17-01 W, 62-60
About the Slide
? Bradley is trying to end a season-long 4-game skid.
? The Braves are shooting just 38.6 percent from the field, including 30.3 percent (20-66) from 3-point range, the last four games.
? While Bradley has made 78.5 percent (62-79) of its free throw attempts the last four games, its opponents have made 10 more free throws than the Braves during the slide.
? Bradley also has a -3.0 rebound margin in the last four losses while averaging only 28.5 rpg.
? Defensively, the Braves are allowing 69.2 points per game on 49.4 percent shooting from the floor the last four games.
Compared To First 10 MVC Games
? Bradley won seven of its first 10 Valley games with much different numbers.
? Bradley allowed only 59.5 ppg on 39.0 percent field goal shooting in the first 10 MVC games.
? The Braves also shot 46.5 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from 3-point range, made nine more free throws than their opponents and outrebounded the opposition by 1.3 rpg.
Bradley's Stat Comparison in MVC Games
1st 10 Last 4
Record 7-3 0-4
Points Per Game 64.1 60.5
Points Allowed/Game 59.5 69.2
Field Goal Pct. .465 .386
FG Pct. Defense .390 .494
3-Pt. Field Goal Pct. .371 .303
3FG Pct. Defense .319 .367
3-Point FGM/Game 5.6 5.0
3FG Allowed/Game 6.5 7.3
Rebounds Per Game 32.3 28.5
Rebound Margin +1.3 -3.0
Blocks Per Game 3.8 2.5
Steals Per Game 8.1 6.0
Tough Stretch Ends Saturday
? Bradley will wrap up its most difficult five-game stretch of the season Saturday by hosting Evansville.
? The combined records of the five teams during the stretch is 88-39 (.693) entering the weekend -- Illinois State (20-5), UNI (18-7), Drake (15-11), Creighton (20-6) and Evansville (15-9).
Softer Finish
? Following Saturday's game against Evansville, Bradley's final four games will be played against teams that begin the week with a 52-49 (.515) record.
? Bradley will host Missouri State (10-15) Tuesday, play consecutive road games at Loyola-Chicago (12-14) and Evansville (15-9), then will host Drake (15-11) to end the regular season.
Scoring Big
? A player standing no taller than 6-foot-5 has led Bradley in scoring in 77 consecutive games, a streak dating back to Jan. 20, 2007 when 6-foot-8 Zach Andrews paced the Braves with 21 points versus Wichita State.
? The streak has been extended by 11 different players the last two-and-a-half years, most recently by Theron Wilson's 15 points Wednesday at Creighton.
Defensive Magic Number is 60
? Bradley is 7-0 when allowing fewer than 60 points.
? Bradley is 6-12 this season when allowing at least 60 points and the Braves have dropped seven straight when allowing at least 60 points.
? Evansville, meanwhile, is 15-4 when scoring at least 60 points, but 0-5 when scoring less than 60.
Offensive Magic Number is 66
? Offensively, 66 points has been a pretty good guage of success for Bradley this season.
? The Braves are 7-2 this year when scoring at least 66 points and have won 11 of their last 14 overall when hitting for at least 66.
? Bradley has won three straight when scoring at least 66 points.
? Evansville is 3-7 when allowing at least 66 points.
Bench Provides A Lift
? Although the Braves have used eight different starting lineups throughout the season, the lineup shuffle has not prevented the players from being contributors off the bench.
? Bradley's bench has outscored the opposition reserves by 89 points (+3.7 ppg) so far this year, 499-410.
? The Bradley bench has been particularly strong of late, winning the reserve scoring battle in five of the last nine games by a combined total of 188-125.
Winning The Close Games
? Despite a recent four-game slide in such games, the Braves are 6-4 in games decided by six points or less this season.
? In the last six years, Bradley is 36-22 (.621) in games decided by six points or less.
Free Throw Differential
? Bradley enters Wednesday's game third in The Valley by averaging 22.2 free throw attempts per game, while Evansville leads the league with 24.1 free throw attempts per game.
? Bradley is 7-0 this year when it makes at least six more free throws than its opponent.
? The Braves have been on the short end of charity shots in five of the last eight games, however, by a combined 29 attempts.
Leading The Parade To The Line
? Senior forward Theron Wilson continues to lead the parade to the line.
? After easily pacing the Braves with 179 free throw attempts last season (4.8 FTA/gm), Wilson already has attempted 166 charity shots in the first 25 games (6.6 FTA/gm).
? Wilson already has been fouled 147 times in 25 games, drawing 30 percent of the total fouls (496) committed against the Braves.
? The number of trips Wilson makes to the free throw line is a good guage of Bradley's overall success this season: Wilson has averaged 8.0 free throw attempts in the 13 wins, compared to 5.2 attempts in the 12 losses.
Maui Jim 3-Point Challenge
? Peoria manufacturer Maui Jim is sponsoring Bradley's 3-point shooting in 2008-09, with proceeds to benefit the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.
? For every 3-pointer the team makes throughout the season, Maui Jim will donate $10 to the Jimmy V Foundation and the company is encouraging fans to join the challenge.
? For every pledge, participants will be entered into a postseason drawing for a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses, as well as two tickets to the 2008-09 Bradley Basketball Postseason Banquet.
? For more information and to make your pledge, visit the men's basketball page at www.BradleyBraves.com and click on the Maui Jim 3-Point Challenge graphic.
Future Braves
? Bradley signed a pair of 6-foot-8 high school players during the Early Signing Period Nov. 12.
Milos Knezevic, Henderson, Nev., Liberty H.S.
? Averaging 19.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg through 13 games.
? Averaged 14 ppg and 8 rpg as a junior
? Friends with Bradley guard Darian Norris, a freshman from Las Vegas Mojave High School.
Jordan Prosser, Eureka, Ill., Eureka H.S.
? First-team all-state in 2007-08 (Illinois 2A).
? Averaging 23.3 ppg and 13.1 rpg through 16 games.
? Averaged 19.5 ppg and 11.7 rpg as a junior.
? Recently became the all-time leading scorer in Eureka boys basketball history.
Upcoming Promotions
Feb. 14 Evansville 1:05 pm
Halftime Act: Frisbee Dogs
Feb. 28 Drake 7:05 pm
Fan Appreciation Night: everyone in attendance will receive a Bradley Basketball t-shirt, sponsored by Maui Jim, Methodist and Prairie Home Alliance.
Senior Night: Bradley's four seniors will be honored in pre- and post-game ceremonies.
Big Media Numbers
? Now in his 30th year as the radio Voice of the Braves, Dave Snell has participated in 910 Bradley Basketball game broadcasts, all in succession, on WMBD AM 1470 since taking over play-by-play duties for the 1979-80 season.
? Snell's longtime radio sidekick, Joe Stowell has been witness to 1,518 Bradley Basketball games in his various roles as player (103, 1947-50); assistant coach (250, 1956-65); head coach (344, 1965-78); assistant athletic director (107, 1978-85); and radio analyst (714, 1985-present).
? Peoria Journal Star beat writer Dave Reynolds has covered 574 Bradley Basketball games, all in succession, since taking over the beat for the start of the 1990-91 season.
