The Valley
The Missouri Valley Conference standings currently sit in a state of uncertainty, with only Belmont having solidified its seed for Arch Madness among top-five teams, as the No. 1 seed. UIC, Bradley, Murray State, Illinois State, and Valparaiso remain in the hunt, battling for the final four first-round byes. With a win over Murray State on Sunday, the Braves can finish no lower than third in the MVC standings and could rise as high as second if UIC loses at Indiana State.

Sunday's matchup features two of the top three scoring offenses in the league, with Murray State ranking second at 83.7 points per game and Bradley ranking third at 77.1. Both teams also rank inside the top five in the MVC in three-point shooting, as Bradley is second at 35.9 percent and Murray State sits at 34.7 percent. Additionally, neither side is a stranger to getting to the free-throw line, with both the Braves and Racers attempting more than 640 free throws as a team this season.

The Bradley Braves
Bradley will look to bounce back following a 93-86 double-overtime loss to UIC in its last contest. This season, the Braves have showcased a balanced offensive attack, featuring two double-digit scorers and six players averaging between five and nine points per game. Over the last three games, Alex Huibregtse and Jaquan Johnson have elevated their play, combining to average 36 points and 5.0 assists per game while both shooting better than 43 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range. AJ Smith has also seen an increase in production, recording double-doubles in two of his last three outings, the most by any Brave this season.

The Braves will host their annual Red Out and celebrate Senior Night against the Racers. The Senior Night presentation will begin with roughly a 11:30 remaining on the pregame clock. This season's honored seniors are Corey Thomas, Ahmet Jonovic, AJ Smith, and Alex Huibregtse.

The Murray State Racers
Murray State has had time off since its last game, having not played since February 21, when it defeated Evansville 88-75. The Racers have relied on a three-headed attack of Javon Jackson, Fred King, and Roman Doman, with each averaging more than 12 points per game. Off the bench, Murray State features five players averaging between 5.5 and 8.5 points per game. Ryan Miller is finishing his first season as head coach of the Racers and could guide the program to its highest conference finish since joining the MVC in the 2022-23 season.

History Says
History suggests that Bradley and Murray State are likely headed for another close contest. Bradley leads the all-time series 12-10 and has won six of the last 10 meetings. Of the previous 22 matchups, nine have been decided by five points or fewer. With a win, Bradley would finish in the top three of the MVC in every season since 2022-23 and would secure the league's best home record for the 2025-26 season.