Bradley University Athletics

Game MBB Preview: Bradley will take on top-100 Santa Clara in the Jack Jones Classic

Cody Roskens Men's Basketball 12/13/2024 6:20:00 PM

Henderson, NV -- Bradley sits less than 24-hours away from taking on the Santa Clara Broncos 5-5 (0-0 WCC) in the 2024 Jack Jones Classic.

Game information
Bradley Braves 8-1 (1-0 MVC) vs Santa Clara Broncos 5-5 (0-0 WCC)
Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 14th • 3:30 PM CST
Live Coverage: BallerTV (Requires Event Pass Purchase) | Live Stats | Radio
Location: Lee's Family Forum
All-Time Series: First Ever Meeting

Setting the Table
When Bradley meets Santa Clara Saturday afternoon it will mark the first ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood. Bradley carries a record of 8-1 and a N.E.T. ranking of 53 and a KenPom ranking of 66th headed into Saturday. Santa Clara is 91st in the NET and 85th in the KenPom. This will be the 1st of two straight and second of three overall the Braves will play against the West Coast Conference with the Braves returning home to take on the San Fransico Dons on Dec. 18th. Bradley and Santa Clara will kickoff the 2024 Jack Jones Classic as the opening game of three to be played on the day with Colorado State and VCU to follow along with UNLV and Pacific as the night cap.

About the Braves
The Braves are currently riding a seven game win streak and according to the metrics, The Braves haven't missed a beat on offense this season currently leading america in both effective FG% (61.2%) and three point shooting percentage (45.3%). However don't sleep on the Braves defensively. Under Brian Wardle the Braves have traditionally been very strong on that end of the floor and yet again are among the nations leaders of three point defense, allowing teams to shoot only 26.9% which ranks 11th in the nation and are top-65 in PPG allowing a touch under 67 PPG. As of Dec. 13th, all five Braves starters are currently averaging double-digit scoring outputs with Duke Deen and Zek Montgomery both averaging 13.8 PPG. Darius Hannah and Duke Deen both continue to inch closer to Bradley top-15 career assists and rebounds list respectively with Deen just 63 assists off 15th place currently held by Eric Roberson (1996-200) and Hannah is just 161 rebounds away from 15th on the rebounding list currently held by Eddie Jackson (1963-1966).

About the Broncos
The Broncos are coached by Herb Sendek who is in his ninth season at the helm of the Broncos program after previously making coaching stops at Miami (OH), NC State, and Arizona State. Sendek currently owns a career record of 558-407. Leading up to this match up Santa Clara has played a challenging schedule with multiple "Power Conference" opponents (TCU, Arizona State, Washington, and Stanford). On the floor the Broncos own a very balanced attack with four players averaging over 11 PPG, all of which rank in the top 30 in scoring in the West Coast Conference. Adama-Alpha Bam, a 6' 7" guard, leads the way in minutes for the Broncos, playing 31.1 minutes per game.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Duke Deen: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#35 Darius Hannah: F; 6' 9"; Senior

#3 Zek Montgomery: G; 6' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#21 Duke Deen
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#35 Darius Hannah
: 6' 9"; Senior
: F

#3 Zek Montgomery
: 6' 6"; Senior
: G

Game MBB Preview: Bradley will take on top-100 Santa Clara in the Jack Jones Classic

Players Mentioned

#21 Duke Deen

#35 Darius Hannah

#3 Zek Montgomery

Players Mentioned

#21 Duke Deen

#35 Darius Hannah

#3 Zek Montgomery