Peoria, IL. It's time to crown a champion, The Bradley Braves 22-8 (15-4) are set to host the Drake Bulldogs 24-6 (15-4) in a winner take all game for the Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season title.
Setting the table
Bradley and Drake will meet for the second time this season. In the prior meeting, Drake defeated Bradley in Des Moines, IA, to a final score of 86-61. The Bulldogs and Braves own the longest-running rivalry in the MVC with this being the 161st meeting all-time. Bradley owns a 92-69 edge overall and a 54-22 edge in Peoria. This game is being played exactly 27 years to the day of Bradley's last MVC regular season championship.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Drake Bulldogs have recently hit their stride, having won 10 straight contests. One of the biggest reasons for Drake's flight to the top of the standings has been player of the year candidate Roman Penn. The Drake graduate student is averaging 12.6 PPG and 5.3 APG. Tucker DeVries has also been a handful for the opposition this season. DeVries is currently averaging 19.2 PPG, and 5.7 RPG while shooting 46% from the field.
Scouting the Braves
Bradley has also been shredding through the schedule lately, being winners in their last nine contests. Rienk Mast has been the big push over the top for the Braves, averaging 14 PPG and 7.8 RPG to go along with BU's great bench production, averaging 27.6 PPG in the last five games. Malevy Leons has also been big for Bradley as an enforcer on defense. Leons is still on pace to become the first player in MVC history to record 50+ steals and 50+ blocks in the same season. Leons is currently at 49 blocks and 47 steals. Bradley will also be honoring Ja'Shon Henry for collecting his 1,000th career point after BU's game against Valparaiso last Wednesday as well as their graduating players with Rienk Mast and Ville Tahvanainen in a pregame ceremony.
HOW THE TEAMS STACK UP
|
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
| Bradley |
71.5 |
35.6 |
13.5 |
46.5 |
36.6 |
66.7 |
| Drake |
76.1 |
36.3 |
13.8 |
46.9 |
37.2 |
77.6 |
Series History
All-Time Series, BU leads 92-69
at Bradley, BU leads 54-22
at Drake, DU leads 43-30
Neutral Site, BU leads 8-4
Current Streak, DU W1
Last 10 Games, DU leads 6-4
How to Watch/Listen
Bradley vs Drake will be broadcast on ESPN2 as well as ESPN+. You may also listen over the radio with 1470 WMBD. The game is set for a 3 p.m. start from Carver Arena. Bradley encourages those planning to attend the game to show up early and wear red, doors will be open at 1:30 p.m.
