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What to watch: Bradley Braves visit Missouri State for MVC road opener

dave eminian, journal star
·2 min read
Bradley's Ville Tahvanainen shows some emotion as the Braves take a big lead over Northern Iowa late in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball opener Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 at Carver Arena. The Braves defeated the Panthers 68-53.

PEORIA — The Bradley Braves got a feel-good win in their Missouri Valley Conference opener against Northern Iowa earlier this week.

They hope that feeling extends to Saturday when they head to Missouri State for their Valley road opener.

"Getting the first win (over UNI) to get that momentum going is big time," Bradley center Rienk Mast said. "From our history we've always had a tough away game at Missouri State. It's going to be a dog fight.

"Hopefully we can lock down on defense and get a win there, too."

'Heat check': How little Duke Deen led Bradley to big win over Northern Iowa

The Braves lost 83-67 in their last trip into Missouri State in late February of last season. With forwards Ja'Shon Henry (concussion) and Zek Montgomery (broken wrist) out of the lineup, Bradley is still a work in progress.

"This first road game is going to be even bigger," BU coach Brian Wardle said. "We still have a long way to go, work on our free throws, reduce our turnovers. It's big when we have other guys step up.

"We have good high-character men in our locker room and they don't want to let their teammates down …"

'I'm home': Bradley Braves man in the middle has found a basketball family

Bradley at Missouri State

  • When: 7 p.m. Saturday

  • Where: Great Southern Bank Arena, Springfield, Mo.

  • Watch: ESPN+

  • Listen: WMBD-AM 1470, FM 100.3

  • Records: Bradley, 5-3 (1-0), 1st in MVC. MSU, 4-3 (1-0), 1st in MVC.

  • All-time series: Bradley, 25-43.

  • Vs. MSU in '21-22: Bradley L 71-69 (home); L 83-67 (away).

  • KenPom ranking: Bradley, No. 116. MSU No. 117.

  • Coaches: Bradley, Brian Wardle (8th season). MSU, Dana Ford (5th season).

  • Players to watch: Bradley: The Braves have six players averaging in double-figures scoring, including Malevy Leons 13.8, Ja'Shon Henry 13.0, Rienk Mast 12.5, Connor Hickman 10.9, Duke Deen 10.5 and Zek Montgomery 10.3. Mast is also pulling down 8.5 rpg. MSU: Arkansas transfer Chance Moore leads the show with 15.5 ppg. He's shooting 54% from 3. Valpo transfer Donovan Clay is at 9.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg.

  • Bravely Speaking: Bradley is 1-6 in Missouri Valley Conference road openers under head coach Brian Wardle. … Missouri State and Bradley rank 1-2 in the Valley, respectively, in 2-point defensive efficiency. … Bradley is second in the Valley in 3-point shooting, with Malevy Leons No. 3 among all players at 50%. … Of the last 31 Missouri Valley champions, 25 have opened 2-0 in conference play. … The Braves have won 12 straight at home, including eight in a row over Valley opponents.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What to watch: Bradley Braves visit Missouri State for MVC road opener