Resurgent Bradley Hoping to Maintain Momentum
The spectacle of the NCAA Tournament brings an intense pressure that can rattle most young college basketball players. This imposing stage did not seem to frighten Bradley this past March, however.
The Braves trailed second-seeded mighty Michigan State by only three points with 3:31 left in their first-round NCAA showdown. The Spartans are a perpetual March Madness fixture. Their coach, Tom Izzo, took over the school’s program before any of the Braves were even born.
Though Bradley’s upset bid fell short, 76-65, to Final Four-bound Michigan State, it was an inspirational peak in its program’s remarkable turnaround. It was their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 seasons.
Now, expectations are much higher around Peoria. Wardle is rewarding a supportive fan base that has been among the top three in MVC attendance in each of the past 25 seasons.
“It’s a whole new novel,” head coach Brian Wardle said on the upcoming season. “There’s a lot more to accomplish. You stay uncomfortable and you keep working.”
After losing to Drake on Jan. 16, Wardle rallied a team that was 0-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play, and 8-10 overall. Certainly no one, at that point, anticipated that Bradley would capture the attention of the college basketball nation just two months later.
That spirited performance against the Spartans marked the program’s return to national prominence. It’s something many other MVC teams are aiming to mimic in the 2019-20 season.
The Braves finished 20-15, including a 9-9 league mark. They claimed the State Farm MVC Tournament title in St. Louis at the annual Arch Madness, becoming the first Valley team to start 0-5 and reach the title game.
Bradley’s revival began with Wardle’s arrival in 2015. But, its story cannot be properly told without detailing the impact of 5-10 guard Darrell Brown (Memphis, Tenn.). He’s gearing up for his senior season after leading the Braves in scoring in each of his first three seasons.
Brown averaged 14.8 points last season and shot 44.4 percent from 3-point range. Beginning this season, the 3-point line will be extended by 16-plus inches by new NCAA rules.
“It will separate the volume shooters from the pure shooters,” Wardle said.
Brown chimed in: “I like shooting deep 3s anyway. But, at the same time, I need to remind myself to jump off the ground. It’s farther back and takes more effort.”
Brown had games of 32, 29 and 26 points last season. With 1,365 career points, he’s the MVC’s leading returning scorer - and his 340 career assists is also tops among all MVC returning players.
Perhaps he’ll see his jersey in the rafters at historic Carver Arena one day. Brown is the godson of ex-NBA star Penny Hardaway, and will return to his home state when Bradley plays at Memphis, who is now coached by Hardaway, on Dec. 3.
The path the Braves took to claim the MVC tourney title was a rough course. They won three games by a combined eight points to earn Bradley’s first automatic bid in 31 years of MVC Tournament play.
Bradley’s ability to turn its season around was mirrored also in its ability to comeback in individual games. The Braves had eight wins wins after trailing at halftime. They rallied from 18-points down in the second half against Northern Iowa in the MVC Championship.
It was Bradley’s first postseason championship since 1988, and a sweet reward for Wardle’s first recruiting class. However, five of his primary rotation players are now gone.
Brown’s main support will come from 6-7 junior forward Elijah Childs, who was the MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He averaged 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, and ranks fifth in school history with 96 career blocks. He scored 19 points against Michigan State.
“Every game counts. You have to be ready to play every possession,” Childs said. “I’m working hard on being a better leader for this team.”
Wardle, on Brown and Childs, said, “They want to develop. They love the game. I love guys that are passionate about basketball.
“These two guys put the work in, are good teammates and are unselfish. I just want them to keep growing as leaders, mentors to the younger guys.”
Senior Nate Kennell averaged 28 minutes last season and drilled 65 3s on his way to the MVC Sixth Man of the Year award. Senior center Koch Bar (5.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg) also returns, along with sophomore forward Ja’Shon Henry.
“Elijah and Koch Bar, with their length and shot blocking, presents a lot of problems defensively,” Wardle said.
Bradley features nine newcomers, including transfer guard Danya Kingsby from Southern Idaho. Originally an LSU recruit, Kingsby was key to Southern Idaho’s run to the Junior College tourney title game last season.
“Our freshmen are physically ready to go. They’re a strong group, and talented. It will be fun to see them blend with our returners. It’s the fastest group we’ve had,” Wardle said.
The Braves open their season at Saint Joseph’s (Pennsylvania) on Nov. 5, and begin MVC action on Dec. 31 when they host Drake.
(Writer and MVC Contributor Brian Doolittle can be reached at briandoolittle1973@gmail.com)