Men’s Basketball Releases 2019-20 Non-Conference Schedule

Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

Men's Basketball 8/6/2019 10:00:00 AM

The most difficult non-conference schedule for the Bradley men's basketball team in more than 15 years is highlighted by eight home games, trips to Florida, Memphis and Philadelphia and at least five contests against 20-win teams from a year ago, announced by head coach Brian Wardle on Tuesday.

Four of Bradley's five games versus 20-win programs are at Carver Arena with another chance of a sixth contest against a team that reached the milestone in BU's tournament in Florida. Overall, Bradley's opponents' winning percentage of .562 marks the Braves' strongest strength of schedule since playing teams coming off a .564 winning percentage in 2002-03.

Toughest Non-Conference Schedules Since 2000
	Year	Win Pct.
1.	2002-03	.564
2.	2018-19	.562
3.	2003-04	.560
4.	2006-07	.557
5.	2007-08	.551

"We are excited for the opportunity to compete against teams from some of the best leagues in the country," Wardle said. "We feel that this is one of the most challenging non-conference schedules Bradley has played in years as many of these schools are contenders in their respective leagues. With six returners and nine newcomers, we are going to have to gel early, be ready to compete from the start and bring our best every night in order to be successful. This schedule should help prepare us for Valley play and we are excited to play against great competition all season long."

After an exhibition game against Millikin University on Oct. 29, the Braves officially begin the 2019-20 season on Nov. 5 at Saint Joseph's. The matchup marks the first time since 2009-10 that Bradley will begin the season on the road, while also serving as the team's earliest opener in school history.

Bradley then returns to Peoria for four-straight games at Carver Arena as the defending Missouri Valley Conference Champions host IUPUI on Nov. 9 in their home opener. The Braves also welcome UIC to Peoria on Nov. 16 before back-to-back home games against 20-win teams in Norfolk State (Nov. 19) and Radford (Nov. 22) as part of the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off.

The Braves then look to win their second-straight regular-season tournament, meeting a pair of Power 5 programs in Fort Myers. BU opens against Northwestern on Nov. 25 before facing Kansas State or Pittsburgh two days later.

Following its Thanksgiving tournament, Bradley hits the road and squares off with Memphis on either Dec. 3 or 4. BU's Darrell Brown and Antonio Thomas return to their hometown as the Braves square off with the Tigers and the nation's top-incoming recruiting class for just the second time since meeting in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

A three-game homestand follows as Bradley welcomes North Carolina A&T (Dec. 7), Maryville (Dec. 10) and Georgia Southern (Dec.15) to Carver Arena before finishing the non-conference season with a pair of games against Mid-American Conference schools – playing at Miami University on Dec. 21 and hosting Toledo on Dec. 28. Bradley's matchup against Toledo marks the first time that BU welcomes a team during the non-conference season coming off 25 wins since playing Butler in 2008-09.

Braves' season tickets are currently on sale, starting at just $125. Fan can purchase tickets at the Bradley Athletics Ticket Office at Renaissance Coliseum (309-677-2625 or BradleyTicketOffice@bradley.edu) or online at https://fevo.me/buseasontix19. Mini packs are also available beginning Sept. 18, while single-game tickets go on sale Oct. 15.

The Braves are coming off a campaign where they won their first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in 31 years, earning an automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Tournament. BU returns six letterwinners from their championship team – including their top three-scorers – to go along with nine newcomers in 2019-20.

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Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

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

Men’s Basketball Releases 2019-20 Non-Conference Schedule

Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown

Players Mentioned

#5 Darrell Brown