I have a running joke with our local media that "every day is media day" for Bradley Basketball. That expression takes on new meaning this year as Bradley Basketball's 2013-14 season opened July 29 with the first of 10 practice days leading up to the team's four-game trip to the Bahamas next week. It is hard to believe that basketball season has started in July, but the new-look Braves have a week of practices under their belt and will play four games Aug. 12-15 in Nassau against four teams from the island nation's New Providence Basketball Association professional league:

Monday, Aug. 12 vs. Commonwealth Giants - 8:00 p.m. (CST)
Tuesday, Aug. 13 vs. Real Deal Shockers - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14 vs. PJ Stringers - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15 vs. Mail Boat Cybots - 6:00 p.m.

Thanks to the generous support of many boosters and the need to fill digital content in the 21st century, much like the trip to Brazil in 2009, I will be joining the team in the Bahamas and will be providing daily reports on the trip through this "Blogging with BP" feature on BradleyBraves.com. But I will not be alone, injured Braves Mason Alwan and Ka'Darryl Bell also will be providing the student-athlete perspective of the trip in a similar BradleyBraves.com feature - Blogging with the Braves. I will provide a couple of updates before the trip, then Blogging with BP will focus more on the games themselves, providing some live updates throughout each of the four games. I'll try to add some island flavor, pictures and videos throughout the trip, but I will let Ka'Darryl and Mason share some of those experiences, too.

As a lead-up to the trip, Bradley will host a unique opportunity to meet the 2013-14 Braves, learn more about the trip and experience practice up close Wednesday. This is an exclusive opportunity to show your support of Bradley Basketball and to allow the team to show its gratitude as well. Wednesday's event fee of $125 will be used to help offset the cost of the trip and attendees will receive a light, Bahamian-style lunch; the opportunity to interact with the team and stay for the closed practice and scrimmage; an autographed photo by Geno Ford taken with the coach Wednesday; and a Bradley Basketball beach towel. Only a handful of openings remain for Wednesday's Bahamas preview event and reservations may be made by contacting Bradley Basketball Administrative Assistant Chris Braun at 309-677-2668 or cabraun@bradley.edu.

The video associated with today's blog post should provide a taste of what Wednesday's luncheon attendees will get to experience. I apologize, but the first clip of the scrimmage huddles is a little long and boring. Clip two shows the Red team break the press, only to see freshman center Xzavier Taylor swat away freshman guard Jordan Swopshire's layup attempt. Clip three features the white team's press break, capped by a lob from Taylor to Tyshon Pickett. Clip four is a bit lengthier, but ends with freshman wing Stefan Zecevic snaring an offensive rebound, ultimately leading to an Omari Grier 3-pointer. Clip five concludes with junior forward Auston Barnes sneaking in for an offensive rebound and "and-1" finish. Can't show Bradley highlights without a little Walt Lemon love and clip six shows off Walt's step-back jumper. Everybody likes to see the players dive to the floor and in the final clip, Nate Wells preserves an offensive possession by getting on a loose ball and the red team takes advantage when Barnes buries a trey.

What stands out about this 2-and-a-half-minute video is I just mentioned five new players. The 2013-14 Braves most definitely have a new look and if you have the time and the means, I encourage you to come see us on Wednesday so you can get an up-close look for yourself.

I hope readers will enjoy "Blogging with BP" and "Blogging with the Braves" and you are getting geared up for the 2013-14 year in Bradley Athletics.

Until next time,

BP
Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications
Bradley University
Twitter: @BPtheBrave