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Bradley Braves men's basketball

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Bradley Braves
2019–20 Bradley Braves men's basketball team
UniversityBradley University
Head coachBrian Wardle (5th season)
ConferenceMissouri Valley
LocationPeoria, Illinois
ArenaCarver Arena
(capacity: 11,442)
NicknameBraves
ColorsRed and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament runner-up
1950, 1954
NCAA tournament Final Four
1950, 1954
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1950, 1954, 1955
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1950, 1954, 1955, 2006
NCAA tournament round of 32
1950, 1954, 1955, 1986, 2006
NCAA tournament appearances
1950, 1954, 1955, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1996, 2006, 2019, 2020*
Conference tournament champions
1980, 1988, 2019, 2020
Conference regular season champions
1950, 1962, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1996

The Bradley Braves men's basketball team represents Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They compete as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves are currently coached by Brian Wardle and play their home games at Carver Arena.

Bradley has appeared in ten NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Fours and national championship games in 1950 and 1954.[2] They last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2020, and last reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2006. The Braves have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament 21 times with an all-time NIT record of 26–18 and have won four NIT championships (1957, 1960, 1964, and 1982), second only to St. John's in appearances (30) and titles (5). Until the introduction of the Vegas 16 Tournament in 2016, the program held the distinction of being invited to the initial offering of every national postseason tournament.

History

Early years

The Braves began playing basketball in 1902, starting out as independent.

One of their earliest coaches was Harold Olsen, who in 1959 was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor for his 24 years guiding the Ohio State Buckeyes to multiple Final Fours, spearheading efforts to create the NCAA Tournament, helping initiate the 10-second rule and coaching the Chicago Staggs to the finals of the very first BAA (later renamed NBA) playoffs.

Alfred J. Robertson (1920–1948)

Alfred J. Robertson was named coach of the Braves football and basketball teams in 1920. Robertson coached both teams until 1948. He is Bradley's all-time winningest coach with 316 wins over 26 seasons. Robertson died in 1948.

In 1938, Bradley went 18-2 and was one of six teams invited to the inaugural NIT, where they lost 53-40 to eventual national champion Temple.

In 1939, Bradley went 19-3, and received invitations to both the inaugural NCAA Tournament and the second NIT. Bradley turned down the upstart NCAA Tournament and Oregon, which the Braves had defeated, took their bid, and went on to become the inaugural NCAA champion. Bradley lost in the NIT semifinal to Long Island, 36-32.

After a hiatus during World War II, the Braves qualified for the 1947 NIT, losing in the quarterfinals to West Virginia, 69-60.

Forddy Anderson (1948–1954)

Following Robertson's death, the school hired Forrest "Forddy" Anderson from Drake. Also in 1948, the school joined the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time.

National runner-up and scandal

In 1950, the Braves went 32–5 and won the MVC, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Braves advanced to the National Championship game and lost 71-68 against CCNY, which accomplished perhaps the greatest feat in basketball history, winning the National Invitation and the NCAA tournaments in the same season.[3]

However, in 1951, a point-shaving scandal rocked CCNY specifically, New York, and college basketball as a whole.[3] The scandal affected Bradley as Bradley players Gene Melchiorre, Bill Mann, Bud Grover, Aaron Preece, and Jim Kelly admitted to taking bribes from gamblers to hold down scores against St. Joseph's in Philadelphia in 1951 and against Oregon State in Chicago.[3] Melchiorre, Mann, and George Chianakos pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, but avoided jail time. The others were not charged.[3]

Continued success

In 1952, the Braves went 32–6 and lost to Syracuse 76-75 in the final of the National Campus Basketball Tournament, which was held in response to the point-shaving scandals centered around New York.[4] After the season, the Braves left the Missouri Valley Conference and became independent again.

In 1954, though only going 19–13, the Braves again advanced to the NCAA Tournament's championship game, this time falling short to La Salle, 92-76.

Anderson was hired away from Peoria to coach Michigan State after the season, where he would become the first coach in NCAA history to lead two schools to the Final Four.

Bob Vanatta coached the Braves for two seasons after Anderson departed, and led Bradley to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 1955 as an independent, where they lost to Colorado, 93-81. They returned to the MVC in 1955. Vanatta would go on to coach the Memphis Tigers.

Chuck Orsborn (1956–1965)

NIT championships

Chuck Orsborn, a Bradley alum and basketball player in the 1930s, took over in 1956 after being an assistant from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, his first year as head coach, the Braves won the NIT championship over Memphis State, the school's first NIT title. The school returned to the NIT in 1958 and to the NIT championship game in 1959, losing to St. John's. In 1960, the Braves won their second NIT championship, defeating Providence in the title game. The Braves were led by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, 2-time Consensus first-team All-American, future NBA champion and 7 time NBA All Star Chet Walker.

The Braves won a share of their second MVC crown in 1962, sharing that title with eventual NCAA Champion Cincinnati, but lost in the NIT's first round. A return to the NIT in 1964 resulted in the Braves' third NIT championship in eight years. After another trip to the NIT in 1965, Orsborn took the position of Bradley's director of athletics and served in that function until 1978.[5]

From 1956 to 1965, he compiled a record of 194–56 (.774). During this nine-year span as head coach, the Braves also earned six Associated Press top 20 finishes, Orsborn was named MVC coach of the year in 1960 and 1962.[5] Orsborn also has the distinction of recording his first 100 victories in 120 games, which is sixth on the all-time list for college coaches.[6]

Joe Stowell (1965–1978)

The Braves again turned to a Bradley alum as Joe Stowell, who was an assistant coach under Orsborn, became Bradley's ninth head coach in 1965.[7] In his 13 years as head coach, the Braves made only two postseason appearances: the 1968 NIT and the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament. He was fired as head coach in 1978.[8] Stowell finished with 197 wins, the second most in Brave history.

Dick Versace (1978–1986)

Bradley hired Dick Versace from Jackson Community College in 1978. As an assistant at Michigan State University, Versace was heavily involved in the recruitment of Magic Johnson. Versace led Bradley to the MVC regular season and tournament championships in 1980, losing a nailbiter to Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament, 55-53. He won the regular season MVC championship again in 1982, but was infamously snubbed by the NCAA selection committee, and the team stormed to the NIT championship, defeating Purdue 67-58 at Madison Square Garden.

In the 1985-86 season, he was named National College Coach of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association as the Braves went 32-3 and were ranked as high as #7 in the nation during the season, capturing the MVC title before falling to eventual national champion Louisville in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. His back court players included future NBA All Star Hersey Hawkins and future NBAer and Bradley Head Coach Jim Les. After this season, Versace left for the NBA where he became head coach of the Indiana Pacers and eventually President and General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Stan Albeck (1986–1991)

Bradley alumnus and former Chicago Bulls head coach Stan Albeck was hired to lead the Braves in 1986. In 1988, Albeck led the Braves to the MVC regular season and tournament titles behind National Player of the Year and national scoring leader Hersey Hawkins, and finished #11 in the final Associated Press Poll before losing to Auburn in the NCAA Tournament, 90-86. After leaving Bradley in 1991, Albeck became an assistant for the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors of the NBA.

Jim Molinari (1991–2002)

Bradley turned to Northern Illinois University head coach Jim Molinari to lead the Braves in 1991. After NIT appearances in 1994 and 1995 the Braves, led by future NBA first round draft pick Anthony Parker, captured the MVC championship in 1996 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they were defeated by Stanford, 66-58. Molinari led the Braves to NIT appearances again in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

Jim Les (2002–2011)

Bradley turned to another alum, Jim Les, to take over for Molinari. Les was a senior on the 1986 Braves squad that went 32–3 before losing in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. However, the Braves failed to finish above .500 in Les's first three years as head coach.

In 2006, the Braves, led by sophomore center Patrick O'Bryant, won their final five games of the season to finish in a tie for fifth place in MVC play. The Braves surprised in the MVC Tournament, reaching the championship game before losing to Southern Illinois. The Braves received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 13 seed, their first trip to the Tournament since 1996. In the Tournament, the Braves upset No. 4-ranked Kansas in the First Round[9] and upset No. 5-ranked Pittsburgh to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1955.[10] In the Sweet Sixteen, the Braves' Cinderella run came to an end as No. 1-seeded Memphis defeated the Braves.[11] O'Bryant left Bradley after the season for the NBA Draft, where he was drafted 9th overall.[12]

Each of Les's next three Brave teams appeared in postseason play, losing in the second round of the 2007 NIT, and finishing as runners-up in the 2008 College Basketball Invitational and 2009 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

After a disappointing 2010 and a 20-loss 2011, the Braves fired Les.[13]

Geno Ford (2011–2015)

Kent State head coach Geno Ford was hired to replace Les.[14] Ford's teams struggled under his leadership, failing to win more than seven games in conference play and finishing in last place in his first and final years at Bradley. The Braves did receive an invite to the College Basketball Invitational in 2013, where they advanced to the quarterfinals. In his final year, the Braves finished 9–24, 3–15 in MVC play. After the season, Ford was fired.[15] He finished with a four-year record of 46–86 at Bradley.

Ford's tenure at Bradley was most notable for a lawsuit filed by Kent State, his former employer, seeking payment on a buyout clause in his contract.[16] Ford was found liable for $1.2 million.[16] Kent State continued actions against Bradley for "tortious interference with Kent State’s contractual relationship" with Ford, but Kent State dropped the case in 2013.[17]

Brian Wardle (2015–present)

Following Geno Ford's firing, the school hired Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle.[18] In Wardle's first year, the Braves continued their struggles, finishing the season 5–24 and in last place in the MVC. Wardle would have over 10 freshmen and only Donte Thomas was an active player who stayed from the Geno Ford era. In 2017, with Junior Donte Thomas as their best player, the 2017 Braves team improved to a 13–20 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in MVC play. In 2018 the Braves finished 20-13 while going 9-9 in the conference. They defeated Drake in the first round of the MVC tournament. Bradley then played #1 seeded Loyola-Chicago, the eventual standout Final Four team. Bradley failed to score down the stretch and lost a close game.

In 2019 Wardle led the Braves to the Cancun Challenge championship over Penn State. After this the Braves slumped and went 0-5 in conference play. The Braves regrouped and finished 5th in MVC play at 9-9. They beat Missouri State and upset Loyola-Chicago. Bradley looked to capture their first MVC tournament title since 1988. They played UNI, the 6 seed, and were down by 18 points in the second half. With Darrell Brown Jr., Luqman Lundy, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye and Elijah Childs on the floor Bradley rallied and cut the deficit to 6 with a 12-0 point run. The Braves went on to win the game and had 2 All-Tournament players and the tournament MVP in Elijah Childs. They entered March Madness for the first time since 2006 but lost to Michigan State 76-65 in the opening round. It was Coach Wardle's first NCAA tournament appearance with the Braves.

Season-by-season results

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
No coach (Independent) (1902–1909)
1902–03 No coach 5–2
1903–04 No coach 0–4
1904–05 No coach 5–4
1905–06 No coach 4–5
1906–07 No coach 7–6
1907–08 No coach 9–5
1908–09 No coach 6–7
Fred Brown (Independent) (1909–1918)
1909–10 Fred Brown 6–7
1910–11 Fred Brown 10–3
1911–12 Fred Brown 11–6
1912–13 Fred Brown 14–4
1913–14 Fred Brown 10–10
1914–15 Fred Brown 13–5
1915–16 Fred Brown 8–10
1916–17 Fred Brown 10–6
1917–18 Fred Brown 6–8
Fred Brown: 91–65 (.583) –
Harold Olsen (Independent) (1918–1919)
1918–19 Harold Olsen 6–9
Harold Olsen: 6–9 (.400) –
Bill Allen (Independent) (1919–1920)
1919–20 Bill Allen 5–10
Bill Allen: 5–10 (.333) –
Alfred J. Robertson (Independent) (1920–1948)
1920–21 Alfred J. Robertson 7–9
1921–22 Alfred J. Robertson 12–6
1922–23 Alfred J. Robertson 14–5
1923–24 Alfred J. Robertson 11–10
1924–25 Alfred J. Robertson 11–10
1925–26 Alfred J. Robertson 15–4
1926–27 Alfred J. Robertson 7–8
1927–28 Alfred J. Robertson 14–5
1928–29 Alfred J. Robertson 8–8
1929–30 Alfred J. Robertson 13–4
1930–31 Alfred J. Robertson 10–9
1931–32 Alfred J. Robertson 7–10
1932–33 Alfred J. Robertson 8–5
1933–34 Alfred J. Robertson 3–14
1934–35 Alfred J. Robertson 1–13
1935–36 Alfred J. Robertson 6–10
1936–37 Alfred J. Robertson 15–4
1937–38 Alfred J. Robertson 18–2 NIT Quarterfinals
1938–39 Alfred J. Robertson 19–3 NIT Semifinals
1939–40 Alfred J. Robertson 14–6
1940–41 Alfred J. Robertson 16–6
1941–42 Alfred J. Robertson 15–5
1942–43 Alfred J. Robertson 8–11
1943–44 *** No Basketball due to World War II ***
1944–45 *** No Basketball due to World War II ***
1946–47 Alfred J. Robertson 25–7 NIT Quarterfinals
1947–48 Alfred J. Robertson 28–3
Alfred J. Robertson: 316–187 (.628) –
Forrest "Forddy" Anderson (Missouri Valley Conference) (1948–1951)
1948–49 Forddy Anderson 27–8 6–4 3rd NIT Semifinals
1949–50 Forddy Anderson 32–5 11–1 1st NCAA Runner-up NIT Runner-up
1950–51 Forddy Anderson 32–6 11–3 T–2nd National Campus Tournament Runner-up
Forddy Anderson (Independent) (1951–1954)
1951–52 Forddy Anderson 17–12
1952–53 Forddy Anderson 15–12
1953–54 Forddy Anderson 19–13 NCAA Runner-up
Forddy Anderson: 142–56 (.717) 25–8
Bob Vanatta (Independent) (1954–1956)
1954–55 Bob Vanatta 9–20 NCAA Elite Eight
1955–56 Bob Vanatta 13–13 3–9 T–6th
Bob Vanatta: 22–33 (.400) 3–9
Chuck Orsborn (Missouri Valley Conference) (1956–1965)
1956–57 Chuck Orsborn 22–7 9–5 2nd NIT Champions
1957–58 Chuck Orsborn 20–7 12–2 2nd NIT First round
1958–59 Chuck Orsborn 25–4 12–2 2nd NIT Runner-up
1959–60 Chuck Orsborn 27–2 12–2 2nd NIT Champions
1960–61 Chuck Orsborn 21–5 9–3 2nd
1961–62 Chuck Orsborn 21–7 10–2 T–1st NIT First round
1962–63 Chuck Orsborn 17–9 6–6 T–3rd
1963–64 Chuck Orsborn 23–6 7–5 3rd NIT Champions
1964–65 Chuck Orsborn 18–9 9–5 T–2nd NIT First round
Chuck Orsborn: 194–56 (.776) 86–32
Joe Stowell (Missouri Valley Conference) (1965–1978)
1965–66 Joe Stowell 20–6 9–5 T–2nd
1966–67 Joe Stowell 17–9 6–8 T–4th
1967–68 Joe Stowell 19–9 12–4 2nd NIT First round
1968–69 Joe Stowell 14–12 7–9 T–6th
1969–70 Joe Stowell 14–12 7–9 6th
1970–71 Joe Stowell 13–12 6–8 6th
1971–72 Joe Stowell 17–9 8–6 4th
1972–73 Joe Stowell 12–14 4–10 T–7th
1973–74 Joe Stowell 20–8 9–3 2nd NCIT Second round
1974–75 Joe Stowell 15–11 7–7 4th
1975–76 Joe Stowell 13–13 4–8 T–4th
1976–77 Joe Stowell 9–18 4–8 6th
1977–78 Joe Stowell 14–14 8–8 T–5th
Joe Stowell: 197–147 (.573) 91–93
Dick Versace (Missouri Valley Conference) (1978–1986)
1978–79 Dick Versace 9–17 3–13 T–8th
1979–80 Dick Versace 23–10 13–3 1st NCAA First Round
1980–81 Dick Versace 18–9 10–6 T–4th
1981–82 Dick Versace 26–10 13–3 1st NIT Champions
1982–83 Dick Versace 16–13 10–8 5th
1983–84 Dick Versace 15–13 7–9 T–5th
1984–85 Dick Versace 17–13 9–7 T–4th
1985–86 Dick Versace 32–3 16–0 1st NCAA Second Round
Dick Versace: 156–88 (.639) 81–49
Stan Albeck (Missouri Valley Conference) (1986–1991)
1986–87 Stan Albeck 17–12 10–4 2nd
1987–88 Stan Albeck 26–5 12–2 1st NCAA First Round
1988–89 Stan Albeck 13–14 7–7 4th
1989–90 Stan Albeck 11–20 6–8 T–5th
1990–91 Stan Albeck 8–20 6–10 7th
Stan Albeck: 75–71 (.514) 41–31
Jim Molinari (Missouri Valley Conference) (1991–2002)
1991–92 Jim Molinari 7–23 3–15 T–9th
1992–93 Jim Molinari 11–16 7–11 T–7th
1993–94 Jim Molinari 23–8 14–4 T–2nd NIT Quarterfinals
1994–95 Jim Molinari 20–10 12–6 4th NIT Second round
1995–96 Jim Molinari 22–8 15–3 1st NCAA First Round
1996–97 Jim Molinari 17–13 12–6 T–2nd NIT Second round
1997–98 Jim Molinari 15–14 9–9 T–5th
1998–99 Jim Molinari 17–12 11–7 T–2nd NIT First round
1999–2000 Jim Molinari 14–16 10–8 5th
2000–01 Jim Molinari 19–12 12–6 T–2nd NIT First round
2001–02 Jim Molinari 9–20 5–13 8th
Jim Molinari: 174–152 (.534) 110–88
Jim Les (Missouri Valley Conference) (2002–2010)
2002–03 Jim Les 12–18 8–10 T–5th
2003–04 Jim Les 15–16 7–11 T–6th
2004–05 Jim Les 13–15 6–12 8th
2005–06 Jim Les 22–11 11–7 T–5th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2006–07 Jim Les 22–13 10–8 4th NIT Second round
2007–08 Jim Les 21–7 9–9 T–5th CBI Runner-up
2008–09 Jim Les 21–15 10–8 4th CIT Runner-up
2009–10 Jim Les 16–15 9–9 5th
2010–11 Jim Les 12–20 4–14 T–9th
Jim Les: 154–140 (.524) 74–88
Geno Ford (Missouri Valley Conference) (2011–2015)
2011–12 Geno Ford 7–25 2–16 10th
2012–13 Geno Ford 18–17 7–11 T–7th CIT Quarterfinals
2013–14 Geno Ford 12–20 7–11 7th
2014–15 Geno Ford 9–24 3–15 10th
Geno Ford: 46–86 (.348) 74–88 (.457)
Brian Wardle (Missouri Valley Conference) (2015–present)
2015–16 Brian Wardle 5–27 3–15 9th
2016–17 Brian Wardle 13–20 7–11 T–6th
2017–18 Brian Wardle 20–13 9–9 5th
2018–19 Brian Wardle 20–14 9–9 T-5th NCAA First Round
2019-20 Brian Wardle 23–11 11–7 T-3rd NCAA First Round
Brian Wardle: 72-77 (.483) 42-51 (.389)
Total: 1,675–1,203 (.582)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Source[19]

Postseason appearances

NCAA Tournament results

The Braves have appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments and have advanced to two final fours and two national championship games. Their combined record is 11–9. They qualified for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was subsequently cancelled.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1950 Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		 UCLA
Baylor
CCNY		 W 73–59
W 68–66
L 68–71
1954 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		 Oklahoma City
Colorado
Oklahoma A&M
Southern California
La Salle		 W 61–55
W 76–64
W 71–57
W 74–72
L 76–92
1955 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 Oklahoma City
Southern Methodist
Colorado		 W 69–65
W 81–79
L 81–93
1980 #11 First Round #6 Texas A&M L 53–55
1986 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 UTEP
#2 Louisville		 W 83–65
L 68–82
1988 #9 First Round #8 Auburn L 86–90
1996 #8 First Round #9 Stanford L 58–66
2006 #13 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #4 Kansas
#5 Pittsburgh
#1 Memphis		 W 77–73
W 72–66
L 64–80
2019 #15 First Round #2 Michigan State L 65–76
2020 First Round

NIT results

The Braves have appeared in 21 National Invitation Tournaments and are four-time champions (1957, 1960, 1964, and 1982). Their combined record is 25–18.

Year Round Opponent Result
1938 Quarterfinals Temple L 40–53
1939 Semifinals Long Island L 32–36
1947 Quarterfinals West Virginia L 60–69
1949 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third Place Game		 NYU
Western Kentucky
Loyola (IL)
Bowling Green		 W 78–66
W 82–72
L 61–69
L 77–82
1950 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		 Syracuse
St. John's
CCNY		 W 78–66
W 83–65
L 61–69
1957 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		 Xavier
Temple
Memphis State		 W 116–81
W 94–66
W 84–83
1958 Quarterfinals Xavier L 62–72
1959 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		 Butler
NYU
St. John's		 W 83–77
W 59–57
L 71–76
1960 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		 Dayton
St. Bonaventure
Providence		 W 78–64
W 82–71
W 88–72
1962 Quarterfinals Duquesne L 85–88
1964 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		 St. Joseph's
Army
New Mexico		 W 83–81
W 67–52
W 86–54
1965 First Round NYU L 70–71
1968 Sweet Sixteen Long Island L 77–80
1982 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Championship Game		 American
Syracuse
Tulane
Oklahoma
Purdue		 W 76–65
W 95–81
W 77–61
W 84–68
W 67–58
1985 First Round Marquette L 68–77
1994 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 Murray State
Old Dominion
Siena		 W 66–58
W 79–75
L 62–75
1995 First Round
Sweet Sixteen		 Eastern Michigan
Canisius		 W 86–85
L 53–55
1997 First Round
Sweet Sixteen		 Drexel
Connecticut		 W 66–53
L 47–63
1999 First Round Butler L 50–51
2001 First Round Detroit-Mercy L 49–68
2007 First Round
Sweet Sixteen		 Providence
Mississippi St.		 W 90–78
L 72–101

CBI results

The Braves have participated in one College Basketball Invitational in 2008 where they advanced to the 3–game series final. Their combined record is 4–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2008 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals Game 1
Finals Game 2
Finals Game 3		 Cincinnati
Ohio
Virginia
Tulsa
Tulsa
Tulsa		 W 70–67
W 79–73
W 96–85
L 68–73
W 83–74
L 64–70

CIT Results

The Braves have participated in two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT). In 2009 where they advanced to the championship game. Their combined record is 5–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2009 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		 Austin Peay
Oakland
Pacific
Old Dominion		 W 81–74
W 76–75
W 59–46
L 62–66
2013 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Green Bay
Tulane
Northern Iowa		 W 75–69
W 77–72
L 77–90

NCIT Results

Bradley participated in the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament where they advanced to the semifinals. Their record is 1–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1974 First Round
Semifinals		 Kansas State
Southern California		 W 68–64
L 73–76

National Campus Basketball Tournament results

The Braves appeared in, and hosted, the only National Campus Basketball Tournament. Their record is 2–1.[20]

Year Round Opponent Result
1951 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		 Western Kentucky
Wyoming
Syracuse		 W 75–71
W 77–63
L 75–76

I-74 Rivalry

The I-74 Rivalry (also known as The War on I-74) is an annual rivalry game between Illinois State and Bradley University.[21]

Notable players

Retired numbers

Seven Braves have had their numbers retired by Bradley University:[22]

Bradley Braves retired numbers
No. Player Position Career Year retired
11 J. J. Anderson SF 1978–1982 1999
15 Paul Unruh F / C 1946–1950 1991
31 Joe Allen C 1965–1968 1994
Chet Walker SF / PF 1959–1962 1976
33 Bob Carney SG 1951–1954 1994
Hersey Hawkins SG 1984–1988 1988
45 Roger Phegley SG / SF 1974–1978 1990

NBA/ABA players

Anthony Parker with the Cavaliers.

Bradley Basketball Team of the Century (1903–2002)

The Bradley athletic department celebrated 100 years of Braves basketball in the 2003–04 season. Fans were given the opportunity to select the greatest players from each of seven specific timelines, resulting in a total of 60 players. Throughout the 2002-03 season, those 60 players were honored at selected games. Fans were given the opportunity to help select the 15 greatest players in the program's history, creating the team of the century. The team was honored during a ceremony at the Peoria Civic Center on November 21, 2003. In addition to the “Team of the Century,” Braves fans also selected a “Game of the Century” by voting games through a 16-entry, tournament format. Ultimately, Bradley's January 16, 1960 win over #1 Cincinnati at Robertson Fieldhouse was selected.

No. Player Pos. Career Height Hometown National Player of the Year All-American MVC Player of the Year MVC All Conference Retired Jersey
31 Joe Allen[23] C 1965-68 6-6 Chicago, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY Green tickY
11 Mitchell Anderson[24] F 1979-82 6-8 Chicago, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY Green tickY
33 Bob Carney[25] G 1951-54 6-1 Aurora, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY Green tickY
33 Hersey Hawkins[26] G 1984-88 6-3 Chicago, IL Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
15 Jim Les G 1983-86 5-11 Niles, IL     Green tickY Green tickY  
12 Anthony Manuel G 1985-89 5-11 Chicago, IL     Green tickY Green tickY  
21 Bobby Joe Mason[27] G/F 1956-60 6-2 Centralia, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY  
23 Gene Melchiorre[28] F 1947-51 5-8 Highland Park, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY  
23 Anthony Parker[29] G 1993-97 6-5 Naperville, IL   Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY  
45 Roger Phegley[30] G 1975-78 6-7 East Peoria, IL   Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
32 Al Smith G 1966-68
1970-71		 6-0 Peoria, IL       Green tickY  
12, 31 Levern Tart G/F 1961-64 6-2 West Palm Beach, FL   Green tickY   Green tickY  
35 David Thirdkill[31] F 1979-82 6-7 St. Louis, MO       Green tickY  
15 Paul Unruh[32] C 1946-50 6-4 Toulon, IL   Green tickY   Green tickY Green tickY
31 Chet Walker[33] F/C 1959-62 6-6 Benton Harbor, MI   Green tickY   Green tickY Green tickY

[34][35]

References

  1. ^ "Bradley University Athletics Official Athletics Brand Identity - Usage and Style Guide" (PDF). March 30, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "1949–50 Bradley Braves Schedule and Results | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "ESPN Classic – Explosion: 1951 scandals threaten college hoops". www.espn.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "National Campus Tournament 1951". www.luckyshow.org. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Bradley's Ozzie Orsborn Dies at 99". WMBD News. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  6. ^ "Bradley Great Charles Osborn Passes Away". Bradley University. Bradley University. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  7. ^ http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=2672 [dead link]
  8. ^ Wessler, Kirk (September 26, 2010). "Double hit stings old coach, but ..." PJStar.com. Peoria, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  9. ^ "Bradley vs. Kansas – Game Recap – March 17, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "Bradley vs. Pittsburgh – Game Recap – March 19, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Bradley vs. Memphis – Game Recap – March 23, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  12. ^ "Former NBA Lottery Pick Patrick O'Bryant: 'I Tend Not to Work Very Hard'". NESN.com. October 22, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Dave. "The Jim Les era at Bradley is over". Journal Star. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  14. ^ "Bradley hires Ford away from Kent State - USATODAY.com". USATODAY.COM. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  15. ^ Wire, SI. "Bradley has fired head basketball coach Geno Ford after four seasons". SI.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Kent State wins $1.2 million lawsuit against former coach Geno Ford". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  17. ^ "Kent State drops lawsuit against Bradley University over Geno Ford hiring". Crain's Cleveland Business. September 26, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  18. ^ "Bradley hires Green Bay's Wardle". Sporting News. March 27, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  19. ^ "Bradley Braves Index | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  20. ^ "National Campus Tournament 1951". www.luckyshow.org.
  21. ^ "Redbirds Host Bradley in First Round of I-74 Rivalry Matchup - Illinois State University". Illinois State University.
  22. ^ Bradley Men’s Basketball Record Book (PDF), 2018 Bradley Braves Men’s Basketball Record Book”, Iowa Sports Information Department, Page 10.
  23. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Joe Allen
  24. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Mitchell Anderson
  25. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Bob Carney
  26. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Hersey Hawkins
  27. ^ HarlemGlobeTrotters.com - Bobby Joe Mason
  28. ^ StateJournalRegister.com - Gene Melchiorre
  29. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Anthony Parker
  30. ^ BradleyBraves.com - Roger Phegley
  31. ^ BradleyBraves.com - David Thirdkill
  32. ^ Peoria Journal Star Jun 18, 2012 - Paul Unruh
  33. ^ PeoriaPublicRadio.com - 31: A Number With A Distinguished Bradley Basketball Legacy
  34. ^ 2016 Bradley Basketball Men's Basketball Record Book (p. 11)
  35. ^ 100 years of memories, basketball at Bradley
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