SIU looks to rebound at home against a red hot Bradley team on Wednesday.
Meet the Braves:
It's been a tale of 3 seasons for Bradley so far this year. The Braves got off to a 6-0 start including a home win against #41 KenPom ranked Utah State (still their only loss). They also got wins over #100 Tulane in their MTE and #130 Vermont at home. The Braves then lost 5 in a row including losses at #146 Murray State on the road and #196 Cleveland State at home. But the Braves have now rattled off 6 in a row since and look like the team that started 6-0.
On the offensive end, Bradley is 104th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency (109.1). The Braves are 46th in the country in 2 point % (54.3%), 43rd in the country in 3 point % (36.9%), and 33rd in the country in effective field goal % (54.8%). 35.2% of the Braves total points come from 3 pointers, which is 56th in the country. One area where the Braves struggle on the offensive end is taking care of the basketball. Bradley is 274th in the country in turnover % (19.2%) and 308th in the country in steal % (11.1%). If the game comes down to free throw shooting, the Braves are 277th in the country in free throw % (68.2%).
Bradley continues to be a top-tier defensive team under Brian Wardle. The Braves are 65th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency (99.4). Bradley is 65th in the country in 2 point % against (46.7%), 58th in the country in 3 point % against (30.8%), and 52nd in the country in effective field goal % against (46.5%). The Braves create a lot of turnovers on the defensive end, they're 70th in the country in turnover % (19.4%) and 59th in the country in steal % (11.3%).
The leading scorer for the Braves is 6-3 Junior Connor Hickman averaging 14.9 points per game. Hickman was a 3 star recruit out of Bloomington, IN and chose Bradley over offers from Ball State, Evansville, Elon, and Furman among others. This year, Hickman is 73rd in the country in 3 point % (34-76, 44.7%), 464th in the country in 2 point % (35-62, 56.5%), 64th in the country in effective field goal % (62.3%), and 100th in the country in true shooting % (62.9%). Hickman is also 436th in the country in assist rate (19.6%), and 484th in the country in steal % (2.5%).
The leader in rebounding, steals, and blocks for Bradley is 6-9 Senior Malevy Leons averaging 7.6 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game. Leons is out of the Netherlands and started his collegiate career at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri where he was named the NJCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Last season, Leons was named 2022-23 MVC Defensive Player of the Year. This season Leons is 322nd in offensive rebounding % (9.0%), 339th in the country in block % (3.5%), 160th in the country in steal % (3.4%), and 124th in the country in free throw rate (52.7).
The leader in assists for the Braves is 5-8 Senior Duke Deen averaging 3.9 assists per game. Deen spent 1 year at Panola College in Texas before transferring to Troy University. At Troy, Deen was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and helped lead the Trojans to 20 wins. In his first season at Bradley last year, Deen was named to the All-MVC Newcomer team. This season, Deen is 373rd in the country in assist rate (20.8%).
Another player making an impact on this Bradley team is 6-9 Senior Darius Hannah. Hannah was a 3 star recruit out of Milwaukee, WI and is in his 4th year at Bradley. This season, Hannah is 79th in the country in 2 point % (81-123, 65.9%), 41st in the country in effective field goal % (63.8%), and 135th in the country in true shooting % (62.0%). Hannah is also 147th in the country in offensive rebounding % (11.4%), 247th in the country in block % (4.4%), and 162nd in the country in steal % (3.4%).
Other players to watch out for include 6-7 Junior Christian Davis. Davis spent one season at Le Moyne College before transferring to Bradley last season. Davis is 398th in the country in 2 point % (26-45, 57.8%), 325th in the country in effective field goal % (55.0%), and 317th in the country in true shooting % (58.7%). 6-8 Freshman Almar Atlason is making an impact for Bradley in his first season. Atlason came over from Iceland and is currently 190th in the country in 3 point % (22-53, 41.5%).
Links:
Bradley Hoops Forum Message Board
Bradley is playing great ball again after their December lull. Hickman has been really good since he’s returned from injury and Deen is also playing some of his best ball - they were quite the duo at UIC. And their frontcourt is long/athletic. As far as Southern, I’d expect a big effort after the disappointing Drake game.
Could be quite an intense matchup on Mike Reis Night, and a key one in the standings.
For as good as Bradley has looked with Hickman, they've looked equally bad without him during their 5 game losing streak. SIU will have to find a way to shut him down. If they can do that, I think they can pull this win out. Leons has also struggled at times this year and just doesn't look like the same player to me. That being said, sadly, I would be surprised (ecstatically) if they beat Bradley, although not as happy as Barkeep !!!
Come on Dawgs............. continue to surprise us and win this BIG game !!!
I think we get a bounce back win. I think we are a solid 3 seed in the Valley this year.
With the new NIT entry rules would that make it easier for us to get in assuming bothe INSt and Drake make it into the NCAA?
Saluki Insider? I barely know her!
@salukis2112 As much as I think the new rules are stupid, yes it actually would because lower conference winners won’t take up any spots.
It's probably about a push. 12 teams from the Big 6 conferences will get automatic bids based on NET rankings. That will leave only 20 NIT at large bids. A mid major will probably have to have a NET of no higher than the 40's to get an at large bid to the NIT. Also, those 12 Big 6 auto bids will host 1st round games. It's truly a total screwing for teams from the other conferences and mid majors!@salukis2112 As much as I think the new rules are stupid, yes it actually would because lower conference winners won’t take up any spots.
It's probably about a push. 12 teams from the Big 6 conferences will get automatic bids based on NET rankings. That will leave only 20 NIT at large bids. A mid major will probably have to have a NET of no higher than the 40's to get an at large bid to the NIT. Also, those 12 Big 6 auto bids will host 1st round games. It's truly a total screwing for teams from the other conferences and mid majors!@salukis2112 As much as I think the new rules are stupid, yes it actually would because lower conference winners won’t take up any spots.
Yes, guaranteeing the 15-17 at large team a home game is the true screwing in my opinion. It’s a bigger deal than the at large deal.
Massey picks us by 1 over the Gargoyles with a 52% chance to win.
I've seen Bradley a couple of times - don't look that great to me. I've seen both Leons and Hickman look quite average several times. Don't look nearly as talented as Drake.
Their ratings must be getting a huge boost from beating 1-loss Utah State (#20 in the NET and #13 in Massey).
We can beat them if we shoot decently.
Bradley is favored by 1
Things SIU needs to win tonight:
1). Win the backcourt battle. Hickman and Deen have been hot lately. X and Trent need to cool them down and do some offensive damage of their own.
2). Stay competitive on the glass. Bradley is a good rebounding team/program, and they've got plenty of size and athleticism like usual. At times this year SIU has been flatfooted going after the ball. If that's the case tonight, it'll be a big problem.
3). Somebody needs to snap out of it. Guys like Stulic, Davis and even Rupert have been in somewhat of an extended funk. Could really use a big lift from one of those guys to take a little pressure off XJ, Trent and AJ.
Should be one of the more entertaining/feisty home games of the season as it's a big one for both teams. Here's hoping they play some kind of cool Mike Reis career highlights montage before the game.
I think you all know how I feel about this one. I don’t ask for much but let’s please win this one fellas
I haven't seen this anywhere else so I apologize if I missed this. Does anybody know if Cade Hornecker will be given a medical redshirt? It would be nice not to lose a year of his career.
I believe you cannot apply for a medical redshirt until your eligibility has expired. However, there is no reason to believe he wouldn't be granted one.I haven't seen this anywhere else so I apologize if I missed this. Does anybody know if Cade Hornecker will be given a medical redshirt? It would be nice not to lose a year of his career.
