Although the game will not count on the final record for the Bradley men’s basketball team, the Braves faced off in their lone exhibition game against Division III powerhouse Augustana College out of Rock Island, Illinois.
From the initial tip, the Braves lacked a certain energy after Augustana junior Tayvian Johnson received a quick pass and threw down a dunk. From that point on, the Vikings did not look back.
Thus, for the first time since a 2008 loss to Division III Platteville (WI), the Braves would fall to a D-III foe. Bradley dropped their exhibition to Augustana 58-56 at Carver Arena.
While no coach would want to start the season with a loss to a lower-level opponent, Ford said he knows this game will help his team.
“I’m glad we lost,” Ford said. “We deserved to lose. We’ve got to learn, especially the new guys, to trust the package defensively and trust the package offensively.
The team combined to shoot 37.5 percent (18-48) from the field including the team’s big men combining a dismal 16.7 percent (2-12) down low.
Junior Omari Grier led the Braves with 17 points, while newcomer Warren Jones chipped in 14.
Grier said the team took the game versus the Vikings lightly, and the lack of focus showed on the court.
“Of course [we took Augustana for granted],” Grier said. “I think a lot of guys came into this game casual, not willing to execute offensively or defensively, and clearly, it showed how well [Augustana] executed their plays over ours.”
Ford said he was happy that Bradley played a team that would challenge the Braves before the regular season tips off.
“I’m glad we played someone who could actually beat us,” Ford said. “If we didn’t, it would have been completely pointless for us to play, so I give them a lot of credit.”
Grier said even though the Braves will still wake up in the morning with a 0-0 record, the Braves have a lot to focus on and it starts with a dose of self-reflection.
“I think we need to realize that we have a lot of things we need to work on,” Grier said. “I feel that some guys were too worried with the name on the back [of the jersey] rather than what is on the front.”
Ford and his team start the 2014-2015 season on Nov. 14 with a matchup against Texas-Arlington at Carver Arena.
