Bradley University Athletics

Four Valley Schools to Battle for Illinois

Bradley, Illinois State, Loyola Chicago, Southern Illinois Men's and Women's Basketball to Participate in State Challenge Series

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Men's Basketball 12/22/2017 3:00:00 PM

PEORIA, IL – Four Missouri Valley Conference member men's and women's basketball programs have the opportunity to earn in-state bragging rights to a new trophy as the "Battle for Illinois" rivalry series was introduced today by the respective athletic departments at Bradley, Illinois State, Loyola Chicago and Southern Illinois.

The inaugural "Battle for Illinois" competition begins New Year's Eve, when the Bradley women's basketball team visits Interstate 74 rival Illinois State. Both men's and women's basketball teams from the four universities will accrue points in featured head-to-head competition with one point awarded for each win in the rivalry series. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaker(s) will be utilized: 1) head-to-head results among the tied teams only; 2) MVC regular-season record; 3) overall regular-season record (conference and non-conference); 4) combined men's and women's MVC postseason tournament wins; 5) average margin of victory in the rivalry series games.

"We have long-standing rivalries with many of our Missouri Valley Conference counterparts, but the opportunity to showcase the natural rivalries within our state borders will provide added interest for our fans," said Bradley Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds. "I hope the fans of all four schools will enjoy the 'Battle for Illinois' rivalry series."

Bradley Games in the 2017-18 Battle for Illinois

Dec. 31	Women	Bradley at Illinois State	11:00 a.m.	Normal, IL (Redbird Arena)
Jan. 5	Women	Bradley at Loyola Chicago	7:00 p.m.	Chicago, IL (Gentile Arena)
Jan. 9	Men	Southern Illinois at Bradley	7:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Carver Arena)
Jan. 12	Women	Southern Illinois at Bradley	7:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Renaissance Coliseum)
Jan. 13	Men	Bradley at Loyola Chicago	3:00 p.m.	Chicago, IL (Gentile Arena)
Jan. 17	Men	Bradley at Illinois State	6:00 p.m.	Normal, IL (Redbird Arena)
Jan. 31	Men	Loyola Chicago at Bradley	7:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Carver Arena)
Feb. 4	Women	Loyola Chicago at Bradley	1:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Renaissance Coliseum)
Feb. 11	Women	Bradley at Southern Illinois	11:30 a.m.	Carbondale, IL (SIU Arena)
Feb. 11	Men	Bradley at Southern Illinois	3:00 p.m.	Carbondale, IL (SIU Arena)
Feb. 14	Men	Illinois State at Bradley	7:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Carver Arena)
March 3	Women	Illinois State at Bradley	2:00 p.m.	Peoria, IL (Renaissance Coliseum)

All three men's basketball home games in the "Battle for Illinois" are included in Bradley's The Valley Half multi-game ticket package. Fans have three pricing options - $149, $99 or $65 - for a half-season ticket package providing reserved seating for all nine Missouri Valley Conference home games during the 2017-18 season. The "Battle for Illinois" games also may be selected as part of the Pick 5 plan, allowing fans to purchase tickets at four price points - $220, $95, $60 or $40 - for any five games of their choice. Single-game ticket prices for Bradley men's and women's basketball home games begin at $8 and are available online at www.BradleyBraves.com or by contacting the Bradley Athletics Ticket Office (309-677-2625) at Renaissance Coliseum.

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