Braves Host Salukis Tuesday

Duane Zehr

Men's Basketball 1/8/2018 6:14:00 PM

Bradley (12-5 , 2-2 MVC) vs. Southern Illinois (10-7, 2-2 MVC)
Game Details	Tuesday, Jan. 9 • 7 p.m. • Peoria, Ill. • Carver Arena
Television	ESPN3
Radio	1470 WMBD
Game Notes	Bradley \| Southern Illinois
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Twitter: @bradleyumbb \| Instagram: @bradleyumbb
Tickets	Ticketmaster \| (309) 677-2625

The Bradley men's basketball team returns to Carver Arena and puts the MVC's longest home-court winning streak on the line against Southern Illinois. Tipoff on Tuesday is set for 7 p.m.

PROMOTIONS
• Prior to Tuesday's game is the first Busey Bank Braves Club Luncheon of the season, featuring SIU head coach Barry Hinson.
• In Kaboom!'s Korner is a Bounce House and additional inflatables from Fun on the Run.

ABOUT THE BRAVES
• Bradley is 12-5 during the 2017-18 campaign with an even 2-2 record in Missouri Valley Conference action.
• The Braves lost in their most recent game, falling at Evansville on Saturday.
• Sophomore Darrell Brown leads Bradley with 13.4 points and 3.8 assists per game.
• A balanced squad with seven players averaging at least five points, Donte Thomas and Nate Kennell are second and third on BU in scoring with 9.3 and 9.2 points, respectively.
• Thomas also leads the Braves with 6.3 rebounds per game, while Elijah Childs is second with 5.9.
• BU is averaging 68.1 points, shooting 43.7 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from 3-point range.
• The strength of the team so far is on defense where BU features the nation's 14th-ranked unit, allowing only 61.8 points per game, 38.2 percent of field goals and 31.6 percent from 3-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
• In a series that dates back to the 1927 season, Bradley holds a slight advantage against Southern Illinois, 47-45.
• The schools split the season series last year with each team winning on its home court. Bradley earned a 60-51 win to open MVC play before SIU responded with an 85-65 home victory.
• Darrell Brown led the Braves with 14.0 points and 3.5 assists versus the Salukis last year.
• Bradley is 29-14 against SIU in Peoria, winning four of the last five games at Carver Arena. The home team has won eight of the last nine games between the two in-state foes.

BATTLE FOR ILLINOIS SERIES
• The Battle of Illinois series was introduced this year, pitting the four MVC schools from the state in an annual basketball series.
• One point will be awarded for victories in men's or women's basketball games between Bradley, Illinois State, Loyola and Southern Illinois.
• While the BU men's basketball team is playing its first game in the series, Bradley already has the lead thanks to the women beating Illinois State and Loyola this season.

ABOUT THE SALUKIS
• Southern Illinois is 10-7 this season, matching Bradley with a 2-2 conference record.
• The Salukis have alternated wins and losses in conference play, falling on Saturday at Valparaiso, 83-72.
• Three Salukis score in double figures, led by Armon Fletcher with 14.1 points per game. Sean Lloyd is second at 12.1, while Kavion Pippen is third at 11.7.
• Fletcher also leads the team with 5.4 rebounds per game, while Aaron Cook has an SIU-best 3.1 assists per contest.
• Overall, Southern Illinois is averaging 70.9 points, while allowing 68.0 points per game.

CARVER STREAKING
• Bradley puts its undefeated home record on the line against SIU as BU has opened the 2017-18 season a perfect 8-0 at Carver Arena.
• In fact, Bradley has won its last 10 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 for the first time since the 2006-07 season with a 6-0 record.

FRONT RUNNERS
• The first half has been key for the Braves this season and has largely determined BU outcomes.
• Bradley is 10-1 this season when holding the lead at halftime and has outscored its opponent by 9.0 points in the first half of its 12 victories.
• On the reverse end, BU is just 2-4 when trailing or tied at the intermission and has been outscored by 7.6 first-half points in its five losses.

TOP-RANKED DEFENSE
• The key to the team's success this season has been owning one of the nation's top defenses.
• Bradley is allowing only 61.8 points per game, ranking 14th in the country.
•The Braves also place in the top 60 in field goal percentage defense (16th at 38.2%), 2-point defense (12th at 43.0%) and 3-point defense (55th at 31.6%).

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