Bradley Braves
2023–24 Bradley Braves men's basketball team
UniversityBradley University
Head coachBrian Wardle (8th season)
ConferenceMissouri Valley
LocationPeoria, Illinois
ArenaCarver Arena
(Capacity: 11,442)
NicknameBradley Braves
ColorsRed and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament runner-up
1950, 1954
NCAA tournament Final Four
1950, 1954
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1950, 1954, 1955
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1954, 1955, 2006
NCAA tournament round of 32
1986, 2006
NCAA tournament appearances
1950, 1954, 1955, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1996, 2006, 2019
Conference tournament champions
1980, 1988, 2019, 2020
Conference regular season champions
1950, 1962, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1996, 2023

The Bradley Braves men's basketball team represents Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They compete as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves are currently coached by Brian Wardle and play their home games at Carver Arena.

Bradley has appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Fours and national championship games in 1950 and 1954.[2] They last appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2019, and last reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2006. The Braves have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament 21 times with an all-time NIT record of 26–18 and have won four NIT championships (1957, 1960, 1964, and 1982), second only to St. John's in appearances (30) and titles (5). Until the introduction of the Vegas 16 tournament in 2016, the program was invited to the initial offering of every national postseason tournament.

History

Early years

The Braves began playing basketball in 1902, starting out as independent.

One of their earliest coaches was Harold Olsen, who in 1959 was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor for his 24 years guiding the Ohio State Buckeyes to multiple Final Fours, spearheading efforts to create the NCAA tournament, helping initiate the 10-second rule and coaching the Chicago Staggs to the finals of the very first BAA (later renamed NBA) playoffs.

Alfred J. Robertson (1920–1948)

Alfred J. Robertson was named coach of the Braves football and basketball teams in 1920. Robertson coached both teams until 1948. He is Bradley's all-time winningest coach with 316 wins over 26 seasons. Robertson died in 1948.

In 1938, Bradley went 18–2 and was one of six teams invited to the inaugural NIT, where they lost 53–40 to eventual national champion Temple.

In 1939, Bradley went 19–3, and received invitations to both the inaugural NCAA Tournament and the second NIT. Bradley turned down the upstart NCAA Tournament and Oregon, which the Braves had defeated, took their bid, and went on to become the inaugural NCAA champion. Bradley lost in the NIT semifinal to Long Island, 36–32.

After a hiatus during World War II, the Braves qualified for the 1947 NIT, losing in the quarterfinals to West Virginia, 69–60.

Forddy Anderson (1948–1954)

Following Robertson's death, the school hired Forrest "Forddy" Anderson from Drake. Also in 1948, the school joined the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time.

National runner-up and scandal

In 1950, the Braves went 32–5 and won the MVC, earning a bid to the NCAA tournament. The Braves advanced to the National Championship game and lost 71–68 against CCNY, which accomplished perhaps the greatest feat in basketball history, winning the National Invitation and the NCAA tournaments in the same season.[3]

However, in 1951, a point-shaving scandal rocked CCNY specifically, New York, and college basketball as a whole.[3] The scandal affected Bradley as Bradley players Gene Melchiorre, Bill Mann, Bud Grover, Aaron Preece, and Jim Kelly admitted to taking bribes from gamblers to hold down scores against St. Joseph's in Philadelphia in 1951 and against Oregon State in Chicago.[3] Melchiorre, Mann, and George Chianakos pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, but avoided jail time. The others were not charged.[3]

Continued success

In 1952, the Braves went 32–6 and lost to Syracuse 76–75 in the final of the National Campus Basketball Tournament, which was held in response to the point-shaving scandals centered around New York.[4] After the season, the Braves left the Missouri Valley Conference and became independent again.

In 1954, though only going 19–13, the Braves again advanced to the NCAA tournament's championship game, this time falling short to La Salle, 92–76.

Anderson was hired away from Peoria to coach Michigan State after the season, where he would become the first coach in NCAA history to lead two schools to the Final Four.

Bob Vanatta coached the Braves for two seasons after Anderson departed, and led Bradley to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in 1955 as an independent, where they lost to Colorado, 93–81. They returned to the MVC in 1955. Vanatta would go on to coach the Memphis Tigers.

Chuck Orsborn (1956–1965)

NIT championships

Chet Walker during the 1960-61 season.

Chuck Orsborn, a Bradley alum and basketball player in the 1930s, took over in 1956 after being an assistant from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, his first year as head coach, the Braves won the NIT championship over Memphis State, the school's first NIT title. The school returned to the NIT in 1958 and to the NIT championship game in 1959, losing to St. John's. In 1960, the Braves won their second NIT championship, defeating Providence in the title game. The Braves were led by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, 2-time Consensus first-team All-American, future NBA champion and 7 time NBA All Star Chet Walker.

In Orsborn's first six seasons, the Braves finished ranked in the top-20 in the final AP Poll, including finishing in the top six each year between 1959 and 1962. However, conference rival Cincinnati was in the midst of a run that ended in five straight Final Four appearances, including two national championships. In the days before at-large bids in the NCAA tournament, Bradley was left outside the tournament field all six seasons and never reached the NCAA tournament in nine seasons under Orsborn.

However, the Braves did win a share of their second MVC crown in 1962, sharing that title with eventual NCAA Champion Cincinnati, but lost in the NIT's first round. A return to the NIT in 1964 resulted in the Braves' third NIT championship in eight years. After another trip to the NIT in 1965, Orsborn took the position of Bradley's director of athletics and served in that function until 1978.[5]

From 1956 to 1965, he compiled a record of 194–56 (.774). During this nine-year span as head coach, the Braves also earned six Associated Press top 20 finishes, Orsborn was named MVC coach of the year in 1960 and 1962.[5] Orsborn also has the distinction of recording his first 100 victories in 120 games, which is sixth on the all-time list for college coaches.[6]

Joe Stowell (1965–1978)

The Braves again turned to a Bradley alum as Joe Stowell, who was an assistant coach under Orsborn, became Bradley's ninth head coach in 1965.[7] In his 13 years as head coach, the Braves made only two postseason appearances: the 1968 NIT and the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational tournament. He was fired as head coach in 1978.[8] Stowell finished with 197 wins, the second most in Brave history.

Dick Versace (1978–1986)

Bradley hired Dick Versace from Jackson Community College in 1978. As an assistant at Michigan State University, Versace was heavily involved in the recruitment of Magic Johnson. Versace led Bradley to the MVC regular season and tournament championships in 1980, losing to Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament, 55–53. He won the regular season MVC championship again in 1982, but was snubbed by the NCAA selection committee, and the team won the NIT championship, defeating Purdue 67–58 at Madison Square Garden.

In the 1985–86 season, he was named National College Coach of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association as the Braves went 32–3 and were ranked as high as #7 in the nation during the season, capturing the MVC title before falling to eventual national champion Louisville in the NCAA tournament second round. His back court players included future NBA All Star Hersey Hawkins and future NBAer and Bradley Head Coach Jim Les. After this season, Versace left for the NBA where he became head coach of the Indiana Pacers and eventually President and General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Stan Albeck (1986–1991)

Bradley alumnus and former Chicago Bulls head coach Stan Albeck was hired to lead the Braves in 1986. In 1988, Albeck led the Braves to the MVC regular season and tournament titles behind National Player of the Year and national scoring leader Hersey Hawkins, and finished #11 in the final Associated Press Poll before losing to Auburn in the NCAA tournament, 90–86. After leaving Bradley in 1991, Albeck became an assistant for the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors of the NBA.

Jim Molinari (1991–2002)

Bradley turned to Northern Illinois University head coach Jim Molinari to lead the Braves in 1991. After NIT appearances in 1994 and 1995 the Braves, led by future NBA first round draft pick Anthony Parker, captured the MVC championship in 1996 and advanced to the NCAA tournament where they were defeated by Stanford, 66–58. Molinari led the Braves to NIT appearances again in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

Jim Les (2002–2011)

Bradley turned to another alum, Jim Les, to take over for Molinari. Les was a senior on the 1986 Braves squad that went 32–3 before losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament. However, the Braves failed to finish above .500 in Les's first three years as head coach.

In 2006, the Braves won their final five games of the season to finish in a tie for fifth place in MVC play. The Braves surprised in the MVC tournament, reaching the championship game before losing to Southern Illinois. The Braves received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 13 seed, their first trip to the Tournament since 1996. In the Tournament, the Braves upset No. 4-ranked Kansas in the first round[9] and upset No. 5-ranked Pittsburgh to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1955.[10] In the Sweet Sixteen, the No. 1-seeded Memphis defeated the Braves.[11] O'Bryant left Bradley after the season for the NBA draft, where he was drafted 9th overall.[12]

Each of Les's next three Brave teams appeared in postseason play, losing in the second round of the 2007 NIT, and finishing as runners-up in the 2008 College Basketball Invitational and 2009 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

After a disappointing 2010 and a 20-loss 2011, the Braves fired Les.[13]

Geno Ford (2011–2015)

Kent State head coach Geno Ford was hired to replace Les.[14] Ford's teams struggled under his leadership, failing to win more than seven games in conference play and finishing in last place in his first and final years at Bradley. The Braves did receive an invite to the College Basketball Invitational in 2013, where they advanced to the quarterfinals. In his final year, the Braves finished 9–24, 3–15 in MVC play. After the season, Ford was fired.[15] He finished with a four-year record of 46–86 at Bradley.

Ford's tenure at Bradley was most notable for a lawsuit filed by Kent State, his former employer, seeking payment on a buyout clause in his contract.[16] Ford was found liable for $1.2 million.[16] Kent State continued actions against Bradley for "tortious interference with Kent State’s contractual relationship" with Ford, but Kent State dropped the case in 2013.[17]

Brian Wardle (2015–present)

Following Geno Ford's firing, the school hired Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle.[18] In Wardle's first year, the Braves continued their struggles, finishing the season 5–24 and in last place in the MVC. Wardle would have over 10 freshmen and only Donte Thomas was an active player who stayed from the Geno Ford era. In 2017, with Junior Donte Thomas as their best player, the 2017 Braves team improved to a 13–20 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in MVC play. In 2018 the Braves finished 20–13 while going 9–9 in the conference. They defeated Drake in the first round of the MVC tournament. Bradley then played #1 seeded Loyola-Chicago, the eventual standout Final Four team. Bradley failed to score down the stretch and lost a close game.

In 2019 Wardle led the Braves to the Cancun Challenge championship over Penn State. After this the Braves slumped and went 0–5 in conference play. The Braves regrouped and finished 5th in MVC play at 9–9. They beat Missouri State and upset Loyola-Chicago. Bradley looked to capture their first MVC tournament title since 1988. They played UNI, the 6 seed, and were down by 18 points in the second half. Bradley rallied and cut the deficit to 6 with a 12–0 point run. The Braves went on to win the game. They entered March Madness for the first time since 2006 but lost to Michigan State 76–65 in the opening round. It was Coach Wardle's first NCAA tournament appearance with the Braves.

Wardle led the Braves to another improved season in 2019–20. Bradley finished with an overall record of 23–11 and 11–7 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Bradley won the MVC tournament title for the second year in a row. Due to COVID-19, the NCAA tournament was cancelled leaving the Braves without a postseason appearance.

Postseason appearances

NCAA tournament results

The Braves have appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments and have advanced to two final fours and two national championship games. Their combined record is 11–9. They qualified for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was subsequently cancelled.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1950Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game
UCLA
Baylor
CCNY
W 73–59
W 68–66
L 68–71
1954First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game
Oklahoma City
Colorado
Oklahoma A&M
USC
La Salle
W 61–55
W 76–64
W 71–57
W 74–72
L 76–92
1955First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Oklahoma City
SMU
Colorado
W 69–65
W 81–79
L 81–93
1980#11First round#6 Texas A&ML 53–55
1986#7First round
Second round
#10 UTEP
#2 Louisville
W 83–65
L 68–82
1988#9First round#8 AuburnL 86–90
1996#8First round#9 StanfordL 58–66
2006#13First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
#4 Kansas
#5 Pittsburgh
#1 Memphis
W 77–73
W 72–66
L 64–80
2019#15First round#2 Michigan StateL 65–76

NIT results

The Braves have appeared in 22 National Invitation Tournaments and are four-time champions (1957, 1960, 1964, and 1982). Their combined record is 25–19.

Year Round Opponent Result
1938QuarterfinalsTempleL 40–53
1939SemifinalsLong IslandL 32–36
1947QuarterfinalsWest VirginiaL 60–69
1949First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third-place game
NYU
Western Kentucky
Loyola (IL)
Bowling Green
W 78–66
W 82–72
L 61–69
L 77–82
1950Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game
Syracuse
St. John's
CCNY
W 78–66
W 83–65
L 61–69
1957Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game
Xavier
Temple
Memphis State
W 116–81
W 94–66
W 84–83
1958QuarterfinalsXavierL 62–72
1959Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game
Butler
NYU
St. John's
W 83–77
W 59–57
L 71–76
1960Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game
Dayton
St. Bonaventure
Providence
W 78–64
W 82–71
W 88–72
1962QuarterfinalsDuquesneL 85–88
1964Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game
St. Joseph's
Army
New Mexico
W 83–81
W 67–52
W 86–54
1965First roundNYUL 70–71
1968Sweet SixteenLong IslandL 77–80
1982First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Championship Game
American
Syracuse
Tulane
Oklahoma
Purdue
W 76–65
W 95–81
W 77–61
W 84–68
W 67–58
1985First roundMarquetteL 68–77
1994First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Murray State
Old Dominion
Siena
W 66–58
W 79–75
L 62–75
1995First round
Sweet Sixteen
Eastern Michigan
Canisius
W 86–85
L 53–55
1997First round
Sweet Sixteen
Drexel
Connecticut
W 66–53
L 47–63
1999First roundButlerL 50–51
2001First roundDetroit-MercyL 49–68
2007First round
Sweet Sixteen
Providence
Mississippi St.
W 90–78
L 72–101
2023First roundWisconsinL 62–81

CBI results

The Braves have participated in one College Basketball Invitational in 2008 where they advanced to the 3–game series final. Their combined record is 4–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2008First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals Game 1
Finals Game 2
Finals Game 3
Cincinnati
Ohio
Virginia
Tulsa
Tulsa
Tulsa
W 70–67
W 79–73
W 96–85
L 68–73
W 83–74
L 64–70

CIT Results

The Braves have participated in two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT). In 2009 where they advanced to the championship game. Their combined record is 5–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2009First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship
Austin Peay
Oakland
Pacific
Old Dominion
W 81–74
W 76–75
W 59–46
L 62–66
2013First round
Second round
Quarterfinals
Green Bay
Tulane
Northern Iowa
W 75–69
W 77–72
L 77–90

NCIT Results

Bradley participated in the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament where they advanced to the semifinals. Their record is 1–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1974First round
Semifinals
Kansas State
Southern California
W 68–64
L 73–76

National Campus Basketball Tournament results

The Braves appeared in, and hosted, the only National Campus Basketball Tournament. Their record is 2–1.[19]

Year Round Opponent Result
1951Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals
Western Kentucky
Wyoming
Syracuse
W 75–71
W 77–63
L 75–76

I-74 Rivalry

The I-74 Rivalry (also known as The War on I-74) is an annual rivalry game between Illinois State and Bradley University.[20]

Notable players

Retired numbers

Seven Braves have had their numbers retired by Bradley University:[21]

Bradley Braves retired numbers
No. Player Position Career Year retired
11J. J. AndersonSF1978–19821999
15Paul UnruhF / C1946–19501991
31Joe AllenC1965–19681994
Chet WalkerSF / PF1959–19621976
33Bob CarneySG1951–19541994
Hersey HawkinsSG1984–19881988
45Roger PhegleySG / SF1974–19781990

NBA/ABA players

Anthony Parker with the Cavaliers.

International players

Bradley Basketball Team of the Century (1903–2002)

The Bradley athletic department celebrated 100 years of Braves basketball in the 2003–04 season. Fans were given the opportunity to select the greatest players from each of seven specific timelines, resulting in a total of 60 players. Throughout the 2002–03 season, those 60 players were honored at selected games. Fans were given the opportunity to help select the 15 greatest players in the program's history, creating the team of the century. The team was honored during a ceremony at the Peoria Civic Center on November 21, 2003. In addition to the “Team of the Century,” Braves fans also selected a “Game of the Century” by voting games through a 16-entry, tournament format. Ultimately, Bradley's January 16, 1960 win over #1 Cincinnati at Robertson Fieldhouse was selected.

No. Player Pos. Career Height Hometown National Player of the Year All-American MVC Player of the Year MVC All Conference Retired Jersey
31Joe Allen[22]C1965–686–6Chicago, IL Green tick Green tickGreen tick
11Mitchell Anderson[23]F1979–826–8Chicago, IL Green tick Green tickGreen tick
33Bob Carney[24]G1951–546–1Aurora, IL Green tick Green tickGreen tick
33Hersey Hawkins[25]G1984–886–3Chicago, ILGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick
15Jim LesG1983–865–11Niles, IL  Green tickGreen tick 
12Anthony ManuelG1985–895–11Chicago, IL  Green tickGreen tick 
21Bobby Joe Mason[26]G/F1956–606–2Centralia, IL Green tick Green tick 
23Gene Melchiorre[27]F1947–515–8Highland Park, IL Green tick Green tick 
24Anthony Parker[28]G1993–976–5Naperville, IL Green tickGreen tickGreen tick 
45Roger Phegley[29]G1975–786–7East Peoria, IL Green tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick
32Al SmithG1966–68
1970–71
6–0Peoria, IL   Green tick 
12, 31Levern TartG/F1961–646–2West Palm Beach, FL Green tick Green tick 
35David Thirdkill[30]F1979–826–7St. Louis, MO   Green tick 
15Paul Unruh[31]C1946–506–4Toulon, IL Green tick Green tickGreen tick
31Chet Walker[32]F/C1959–626–6Benton Harbor, MI Green tick Green tickGreen tick

[33][34]

References

  1. "Bradley University Athletics Official Athletics Brand Identity - Usage and Style Guide" (PDF). March 30, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. "1949–50 Bradley Braves Schedule and Results | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "ESPN Classic – Explosion: 1951 scandals threaten college hoops". www.espn.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  4. "National Campus Tournament 1951". www.luckyshow.org. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Bradley's Ozzie Orsborn Dies at 99". WMBD News. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  6. "Bradley Great Charles Osborn Passes Away". Bradley University. Bradley University. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  7. http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=2672
  8. Wessler, Kirk (September 26, 2010). "Double hit stings old coach, but ..." PJStar.com. Peoria, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  9. "Bradley vs. Kansas – Game Recap – March 17, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  10. "Bradley vs. Pittsburgh – Game Recap – March 19, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  11. "Bradley vs. Memphis – Game Recap – March 23, 2006 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  12. "Former NBA Lottery Pick Patrick O'Bryant: 'I Tend Not to Work Very Hard'". NESN.com. October 22, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  13. Reynolds, Dave. "The Jim Les era at Bradley is over". Journal Star. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  14. "Bradley hires Ford away from Kent State - USATODAY.com". USATODAY.COM. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  15. Wire, SI. "Bradley has fired head basketball coach Geno Ford after four seasons". SI.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  16. 1 2 "Kent State wins $1.2 million lawsuit against former coach Geno Ford". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  17. "Kent State drops lawsuit against Bradley University over Geno Ford hiring". Crain's Cleveland Business. September 26, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  18. "Bradley hires Green Bay's Wardle". Sporting News. March 27, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  19. "National Campus Tournament 1951". www.luckyshow.org.
  20. "Redbirds Host Bradley in First Round of I-74 Rivalry Matchup – Illinois State University". Illinois State University.
  21. Bradley Men’s Basketball Record Book (PDF), 2018 Bradley Braves Men’s Basketball Record Book”, Iowa Sports Information Department, Page 10.
  22. "Joe Allen – Men's Basketball". Bradley University Athletics.
  23. "Mitchell Anderson – Men's Basketball". Bradley University Athletics.
  24. "Bradley Legend Bob Carney Passes". Bradley University Athletics.
  25. "Hersey Hawkins – Men's Basketball". Bradley University Athletics.
  26. "HarlemGlobeTrotters.com – Bobby Joe Mason". Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  27. WESSLER, KIRK. "Squeaky's image not clean enough for BU president Glasser". The State Journal-Register.
  28. "Anthony Parker Selected For MVC Hall Of Fame". Bradley University Athletics.
  29. "Roger Phegley – Men's Basketball". Bradley University Athletics.
  30. "David Thirdkill – Men's Basketball". Bradley University Athletics.
  31. Reynolds, Dave. "WATN: Paul Unruh". Journal Star.
  32. Radio, Peoria Public. "31: A Number With A Distinguished Bradley Basketball Legacy". www.peoriapublicradio.org.
  33. "2016 Bradley Basketball Men's Basketball Record Book (p. 11)" (PDF).
  34. 100 years of memories, basketball at Bradley
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