Throughout the 2018-19 season, the Bradley men’s basketball team kept pushing out the same hashtag: #TheArrival. The Braves won the Valley and led Michigan State with seven minutes remaining as a 15-seed in the NCAA Tournament but ultimately fell.
It was official. Bradley basketball had arrived on the national stage.
The Braves won’t return to the bottom of the MVC standings anytime soon. Back-to-back 20 win seasons prove the program is on the upswing.
Head coach Brian Wardle’s staff has overcome adversity throughout the past four years. They began with a dismal 5-27 first year and finished 13-20 the next season, with 14 losses decided by more than 14 points.
In 2017-18 the players flipped the switch, going 20-13 and gave way to this season’s successful 20-15 record and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
I commend the program for bringing Bradley basketball back. I doubt the Bradley faithful will be waiting another 13 long years to make March Madness.
On the downside, Bradley is a mid-major and recruiting can be tough. They have done a good job so far, espcially capitalizing on international players like seniors Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye and Luuk van Bree.
The international representation is not going anywhere. Bradley will insert the two outgoing players with Ville Tahvanainen of Finland and verbal commit Rienk Mast of the Netherlands. International players just want a chance to prove themselves and grow. Bradley is place do that.
Next season, the team’s top three scorers return. Peoria and Bradley can comfortably put its faith in Darrell Brown, Elijah Childs and Nate Kennell. They will all elevate their game once again just like they did during this postseason run.
To add more to the excitement, freshman Ja’Shon Henry brings fantastic energy to the court and has the tenacity to be a major contributor for the team the next three years.
On a note of improvement, Bradley will need to make good use of their big men Ari Boya and Koch Bar if it wants to stay on top of the conference’s rebound standings. Their development is significant.
If the team wins consistently, the program that already leads the MVC in attendance will put more people in Carver Arena seats. It’ll become the toughest venue in the conference.
The ability to overcome adversity was this season’s story and defining moment. I think Bradley will not start conference play 0-5 in the 2019-2020 season or be a 18.5 point underdogs when they go mad in March next season.
Give the Braves a chance. They brought the Bradley name back to the national stage and need to capitalize on what they have in Peoria and beyond. The future is bright. #Believe. #AllWeGot
