|
DUBulldog
|
|
Group: Administrators
Posts: 19K,
Visits: 116K
|
Chance to bounce back.
As of last week, Bradley was the best 3-point shooting team in the country, not sure if they still are. All 5 starters can hit the 3.
Bulldogs always seem to play best against the best competition.
Drake hasn't lost 3 in a row since February, 2022. Let's keep that streak going.
|
|
|
|
|
BlueJay1969
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 186,
Visits: 0
|
Looks like game is only on CBS Sports Network
|
|
|
|
|
MKE2KC DAWG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 301,
Visits: 0
|
There is no game I want to win more every year than @ Bradley simply because of the reaction from their fans.
|
|
|
|
|
Bulldog2323
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.2K,
Visits: 3.6K
|
+xLooks like game is only on CBS Sports Network Correct, also note the 6:00 PM Central Time start time.
|
|
|
|
|
zman
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.4K,
Visits: 371
|
Really need this one. Don’t want to start 1-3 in the league.
|
|
|
|
|
zman
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.4K,
Visits: 371
|
My bad, 2-3.
|
|
|
|
|
Marlon
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 212,
Visits: 531
|
Not sure of their returning starters, there's at least one, but we beat them three times last year, and a few of those starters and their coach will be looking for payback.
|
|
|
|
|
DUBulldog
|
|
Group: Administrators
Posts: 19K,
Visits: 116K
|
+xNot sure of their returning starters, there's at least one, but we beat them three times last year, and a few of those starters and their coach will be looking for payback. 3 returning starters, plus one starter from their 2022-23 team who rejoined Bradley this season
|
|
|
|
|
ColonialBulldog
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 443,
Visits: 25
|
Hopefully Jackson is back. Seems to be our top guard defender which would be helpful against one of the very few Valley veterans this year, Duke Deen.
|
|
|
|
|
Very Loud Band Member
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 145,
Visits: 6.1K
|
+xThere is no game I want to win more every year than @ Bradley simply because of the reaction from their fans. Bradley may have the most insufferable fans in the Valley
|
|
|
|
|
hamlox
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 4.6K,
Visits: 14K
|
+xChance to bounce back. As of last week, Bradley was the best 3-point shooting team in the country, not sure if they still are. All 5 starters can hit the 3. Bulldogs always seem to play best against the best competition. Drake hasn't lost 3 in a row since February, 2022. Let's keep that streak going. DUB, the answer is "yes" to your question about the three point shot. However, the Gargoyling-Braves have not shot as well in Valley play. Their season average from three is 43.1%. However, they are shooting 38% in the Valley, good for second in the conference. Drake is 10th at 30%.Down from 32.6%. Let's be honest, while Drake's defense hasn't been as effective, they've got to put the biscuit in the basket... especially next to the rim if they can't hit the three. Nothing new... Drake must win the boards, BIGLY; low turnovers; allowing fewer opportunities/possessions to Bradley. Dogs can't continue to miss points at the line. Way too many guys in blue recently shooting 50% from the line. Bradley shoots 77% from the stripe and Drake 71%.
|
|
|
|
|
wcomito0812
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 16,
Visits: 0
|
 Scouting Report for Bradley from Ken-Pom: - Well, this is going to be tough one on the road like we all know. Bradley has yet to lose this year at home and only had two loses last year at home, to Drake & Indiana State. Bradley by most metrics is the deepest team in the Valley, with 10 players currently averaging over 10 minutes per game. They have started the conference season 4-0, with close OT wins against Valpo and Indiana State in the last week.
- Looking at Bradley's defense by the numbers, it is solid, yet conservative. They focus less on gap coverage and play straight up and don't extend, which limits the amount of turnovers they can create. They are 220 nationally in TO% rate, and are actually turning over at a higher clip on offense then they are recovering on defense. This should allow for more development when running our offensive set and allow us to create the movement that we need to get the right looks. They are extremely good at defending the 3 pt shot as well (58th nationally), but with the right movement we should hopefully be able to get some looks at times. If our offense is stagnant, which I am hopeful it wont be, then we are going to be in a world of hurt.
- The clearest and potentially most alarming statistic that jumps out at you is that Bradley is #1 in the country in 3pt percentage, and it's really not that close with the next closest being Villanova a full two percentage points less than them. Since the 3pt line was moved to it's current location at the beginning of the 2008-09 season, that would put the Braves historically at 5th overall in that time period. We absolutely have to call out and have no miscommunications when it comes to calling switches on screens and adjusting to shooters, and we've been doing a very poor job of that over the last two games compared to earlier in the season. They rely heavily on 3pt's (47th nationally for % of total points) while still being efficient, so limiting open looks from behind the arc very well could make the difference.
- Expect this game to be played slow and methodically by both teams. In terms of tempo, Bradley is 290th in the nation and Drake is dead last at 364. We just need to play our game at our pace, which shouldn't be a challenge since they don't prefer to get out and run.
I wont make any bold predictions that blow up in my face (see UIC game post) but I do like the way we lineup IF we come out ready to play (especially our bigs). I would be shocked to see BMC put a team out there trying to avoid a 3rd straight conference loss that isn't going to compete on every single possession and be locked in. I was somewhat down on this year compared to past like many from the beginning just due to the jump in talent that many of these kids and BMC would be up against. They have been very good at times this year, and it is super evident we have one of the best coaches in all of basketball. I understand feeling down on a two game skid, but as we know coaching makes one hell of a difference, and there are many teams out there with more "talent" as people say that are no where near as disciplined and are not bought in to there system. I think we have a real chance to still push for a league championship and get a first round bye for sure in Arch Madness.
As always, I hope everyone is doing well this New Year, and I'd love to hear what everyone else has for feedback or thoughts!
|
|
|
|
|
DUBulldog
|
|
Group: Administrators
Posts: 19K,
Visits: 116K
|
Bradley favored by 2.5.
Bulldogs play well when they're the underdog
|
|
|
|
|
TinyTyke
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 101,
Visits: 79
|
As odd as it may seem, I feel optimistic about tonight. With that said, would not be surprised if we won by 15 or lost by 15.
Reasons for optimism is our effort to find very high percentage shots frequently, and our length and effort (most of the time) on the defensive end.
|
|
|
|
|
MKE2KC DAWG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 301,
Visits: 0
|
+xAs odd as it may seem, I feel optimistic about tonight. With that said, would not be surprised if we won by 15 or lost by 15. Reasons for optimism is our effort to find very high percentage shots frequently, and our length and effort (most of the time) on the defensive end. The only convincing wins Bradley have in the MVC are against MO St and SIU. Not exactly the cream of the crop in the league. ISUb and Valpo were OT wins that went to the wire. Cautiously optimistic we can play spoiler, but road game against a good shooting team could end up either way as you mentioned.
|
|
|
|
|
TinyTyke
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 101,
Visits: 79
|
+x+xAs odd as it may seem, I feel optimistic about tonight. With that said, would not be surprised if we won by 15 or lost by 15. Reasons for optimism is our effort to find very high percentage shots frequently, and our length and effort (most of the time) on the defensive end. The only convincing wins Bradley have in the MVC are against MO St and SIU. Not exactly the cream of the crop in the league. ISUb and Valpo were OT wins that went to the wire. Cautiously optimistic we can play spoiler, but road game against a good shooting team could end up either way as you mentioned. In the 2 games Bradley has lost (WSU and Santa Clara), they were beat in Turnovers and Rebounding. With that said, Bradley wants to dominate the 3pt line. If they don't get hot from 3, Drake has a phenomenal chance to win and maybe convincingly.
|
|
|
|
|
TinyTyke
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 101,
Visits: 79
|
At the end of the day, winning on the road is hard no matter the conference.
Ask Tennessee who was #1 and got beat by 30 on the road last night.
|
|
|
|
|
MKE2KC DAWG
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 301,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+xAs odd as it may seem, I feel optimistic about tonight. With that said, would not be surprised if we won by 15 or lost by 15. Reasons for optimism is our effort to find very high percentage shots frequently, and our length and effort (most of the time) on the defensive end. The only convincing wins Bradley have in the MVC are against MO St and SIU. Not exactly the cream of the crop in the league. ISUb and Valpo were OT wins that went to the wire. Cautiously optimistic we can play spoiler, but road game against a good shooting team could end up either way as you mentioned. In the 2 games Bradley has lost (WSU and Santa Clara), they were beat in Turnovers and Rebounding. With that said, Bradley wants to dominate the 3pt line. If they don't get hot from 3, Drake has a phenomenal chance to win and maybe convincingly. Outside of these losses I feel like Drake has done a great job winning the TO and rebounding battles when necessary. (Vandy and KSTATE especially) Would certainly help in righting the ship if we do it tonight.
|
|
|
|
|
Big Dog 74
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 57,
Visits: 0
|
Come on Dogs. Great night to rebound from a couple of marginal performances. Need to keep Bradley in range in the Valley standings.
|
|
|
|
|
TinyTyke
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 101,
Visits: 79
|
Anybody know if Isaiah Jackson will be available tonight?
|
|
|
|