The start of a new year means the start of spring sports on Bradley’s campus. While some teams have already begun their seasons, others will start up in February and March, all with the goal of capturing an MVC Championship.
While some fans may be looking towards these teams and their new beginnings, others may pay attention to the end of the basketball season. Whether or not the men can bring home another regular season title remains to be seen, but the home stretch is shaping up to be a dogfight either way.
With so many things to look forward to, we asked contributors Umar Syed and Gabriel Holowka what they are most excited for as the Hilltop opens up another semester of sports.
Bradley vs. Drake part two
By Umar Syed
The two big rivals of the Missouri Valley Conference will battle it out on Saturday, Feb. 10 in a match that could ultimately lead to a huge shift in determining this year’s MVC champions.
Will it be the Bradley Braves, who have a nine-game win streak led by Duke Deen and Malevy Leons? Or will it be the Drake Bulldogs, who are 7-1 in conference play? The battle between these two teams is nothing short of movie-worthy.
This game is not just one that could determine who takes control of the MVC, but it also determines who will have bragging rights and a much better chance of winning the MVC tournament.
Last year, Drake and Bradley were the two highest-seeded teams in the conference. The two games in which they faced off were hard-fought battles that led to the Braves becoming the regular season champion. Throughout this epic rivalry’s history, Bradley leads the all-time series 93-70. This game is one that you don’t want to miss.
A season of redemption and resilience
By Gabriel Holowka
Bradley baseball ended last season at 16-32 with an in-conference record of 7-20. This is definitely not where they wanted to be as a team, but last year’s performance will serve as a strong motivator for improvement this season. Returning faces and new improvements set up a feeling of excitement for the upcoming season.
There’s an additional level of inspiration and enthusiasm as Mike Tauchman of the Chicago Cubs was recently inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. Honoring and commemorating a standout player’s accomplishments may invigorate the team and its fans in anticipation of the upcoming season. Current players may find inspiration in Tauchman’s induction, as he serves as a reminder of the opportunities that await those who are willing to put in the required work and dedication.
Overall, baseball will be a fun sport to watch come spring thanks to the team’s drive to get better. The anticipation that comes with starting a new baseball season and that extra incentive that comes from realizing previous achievements of players is enough to get anyone excited.
