Second-Place Braves Host First-Place Loyola Wednesday

Men's Basketball 1/30/2018 10:36:00 AM

Bradley (16-7 , 6-4 MVC) vs. Loyola (18-4, 8-2 MVC)
Game Details	Wednesday, Jan. 31 • 7 p.m. • Peoria, Ill. • Carver Arena
Television	FOX Sports Midwest/Indiana/Kansas City \| NBC Sports Chicago
Webcast	Illinois/Indiana/Iowa/Missouri: FOX Sports Go \| Other States: ESPN3
Radio	1470 WMBD
Game Notes	Bradley \| Loyola
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Twitter: @bradleyumbb \| Instagram: @bradleyumbb
Tickets	Ticketmaster \| (309) 677-2625

A first-place versus second-place showdown is set for Wednesday night at Carver Arena as the Bradley basketball team – winners of three-straight games – host league-leading Loyola. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

PROMOTIONS
• Fans can purchase the Final Four Pack, starting with Wednesday's game, which includes a ticket to the final four BU contests in addition to a free merchandise item.
• The first 500 fans through the door will receive a free State Farm Bradley rollabana.
• Also in Kaboom!'s Korner is a Bounce House and inflatables from Fun on the Run.

ABOUT THE BRAVES
• Bradley, winners of three-straight, is 16-7 during the 2017-18 season and is in a three-way tie for second in the Valley with a 6-4 record.
• The Braves are coming off their first road MVC win of the year to go with a perfect 5-0 home mark.
• Sophomore Darrell Brown leads Bradley with 13.4 points and 4.3 assists per game.
• Senior Donte Thomas is second on the team with 10.3 points per game, while also leading the Braves with 6.9 boards.
• Sophomore Nate Kennell ranks third with 9.3 points per game, coming off a career-best 25-point outing at Indiana State on Sunday.
• BU is averaging 68.1 points, shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.
• The strength of the team is on defense where BU features the nation's ninth-ranked unit, allowing only 62.7 points per game, 39.0 percent of field goals and 31.3 percent from 3-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
• The Braves hold a 33-25 all-time advantage against the Ramblers in a series that dates back to 1928.
• Loyola has won 8-of-11 meetings, however, since joining the Valley in 2013.
• Overall, the Ramblers have won five-straight in the series, including an 81-65 victory earlier in the year in Chicago.

ABOUT THE RAMBLERS
• Loyola is in first place in the MVC with an 8-2 conference record – two games ahead of second.
• Overall, the Ramblers are 18-4 this season.
• Loyola has won its last seven games after a 1-2 start to MVC play, including each of the last five by at least 14 points.
• Clayton Custer has a team-best 13.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.
• Four Ramblers average at least 11 points overall as Donte Ingram (11.8), Aundre Jackson (11.5) and Marques Townes (11.3) join Custer.
• Freshman Cameron Krutwig leads Loyola with 6.5 rebounds to go with 9.9 points per game.
• As a team, Loyola is averaging 72.7 points per game behind 51.0 percent shooting and 41.3 percent from 3-point range.
• The Ramblers allow 62.5 points per game.

SEASON GAINS
• The Braves are making moves to return to the top.
• With eight games remaining, Bradley's 16 wins already match its highest regular-season total since it went 17-13 during the 2008-09 season (finished 21-15 after postseason).
• In fact, Bradley's 16 victories are just two shy of the last two seasons combined (5 and 13 wins).
• The Braves are also in second place in the Valley through 10 games of the MVC season for the first time since starting 2008-09 with a 7-3 record.
• Bradley is on pace for its highest MVC finish in 17 years as the Braves have not placed higher than fourth since 2000-01 (t-2nd).

TRENDING UP
• The best news for BU is that it is currently playing its best basketball.
• The Braves have won their last three MVC games, outscoring its opponent by an average of 73-59.
• Bradley opened its run with back-to-back Valley wins by at least 10 points for the first time since January 2009, with its victory against preseason favorite, Missouri State, by 20 marking BU's largest since a 90-64 win against Drake on Feb. 26, 2011.
• The Braves then followed up by winning their first road MVC game of the year (81-73 at Indiana State) to go with its 5-0 home record.

ONE VERSUS TWO
• Not only is Wednesday's matchup of the top two teams in the Valley, but it also represents two of the top schools in the state.
• Loyola and Bradley rank first and second of Illinois' 13 schools both in terms of wins and RPI.
• The Ramblers own the top RPI (51) and win total (18) in the state, while Bradley is second with an RPI of 86 and 16 wins. Northwestern is third in RPI (101), while Southern Illinois is third in wins (14).

CARVER STREAKING
• Bradley puts its undefeated home record on the line against Loyola as BU has opened the 2017-18 season a perfect 11-0 at Carver Arena.
• In fact, Bradley has won its last 13 home games dating back to last season – the longest active streak in the MVC and BU's longest since a 15-game run in 2006.
• The Braves secured their first unblemished home mark in non-conference play since the 2006-07 season with a 6-0 record.
• BU then followed by winning its first five MVC home games for the first time since 2000-01.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#25 Nate Kennell: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#1 Donte Thomas: F; 6' 7"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#25 Nate Kennell
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Donte Thomas
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

Second-Place Braves Host First-Place Loyola Wednesday

Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown

#25 Nate Kennell

#1 Donte Thomas

Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown

#25 Nate Kennell

#1 Donte Thomas