Bradley’s “Arch Madness” concludes

From John Searby…

All of the shots seemed to fall the way of the Northern Iowa Panthers on Saturday afternoon in St. Louis, but it didn’t deter Braves fans from passionately rooting on their team.

Saturday’s festivities started in the restaurant of the Renaissance Hotel as Bradley fans gathered around the buffet in droves to speculate about what the day had in store. The lobby continued to fill as fans prepared to send off the team in style and then headed to J. Buck’s for a pre-game party. Nearly 800 Bradley faithful visited the popular St. Louis watering hole and were joined by the Bradley basketball band and cheerleaders for a spirited rally to get fired up.

As the game began at the Scottrade Center, Bradley fans cheered on their team with pride. The first half was full of excitement as the action was back and forth, and Coach Jim Les juggled his foul strapped line-up by using senior walk-on Brian Lavin at the end of the half to go to the break with a tie.

The second half found the Braves fighting and clawing to hang in the game but finally succumbing to the hot shooting Panthers, 76-62. Theron Wilson completed his senior season with 16 points.

The loss didn’t dampen the spirit of the Bradley faithful as they continued to cheer the Braves to the end and stuck around to enjoy the rest of the weekend at “Arch Madness,” the home of America’s basketball conference. It was a weekend to remember for Bradley fans and an experience that all friends, alumni, and students should take part in next year. But here’s hoping for a few more games this March as we wait to see if we have a postseason ticket.

Bradley sends Salukis home

From John Searby…

The season continues in St. Louis for the Bradley Braves as Sam Maniscalco ‘11 and Theron Wilson ‘09 led BU to a 67-55 victory over the Salukis of Southern Illinois. Fifteen hundred Bradley fans made the Scottrade Center a rowdy sea of red as the Braves overcame a slow start to win.

The day started for many Bradley fans with a send-off for the team at the Renaissance Hotel, followed by a packed house at the pre-game party at J. Buck’s Restaurant. The Bradley basketball band and cheerleaders joined the fray to get pumped up for the 2:35 p.m. tip-off.

As the game came to an end, the raucous Bradley crowd started a “Go B U” chant and cheered as Coach Les cleared the bench to give everybody an opportunity to play in the Valley tourney.

Coach Les was understandably upbeat in the post-game press conference as he said the team would go back to the hotel, have something to eat, and get some rest while the coaches ready the game plan for tomorrow’s game against the Panthers of Northern Iowa.

Be sure to check back for more insights into tomorrow’s semi-final game and the atmosphere surrounding it.

Tournament begins

From John Searby…

The MVC men’s basketball tournament commences Thursday, and after another outstanding year, our Braves have avoided the dreaded “play-in game.” The Braves tip off Friday at 2:35 p.m. against the Salukis of Southern Illinois. J.Buck’s Restaurant will be the “hang out” for Bradley fans before and after the game. The restaurant will have food and drink specials for BU fans throughout the tournament. J.Buck’s is located at 1000 Clark Street in Downtown St. Louis, just two blocks from the Scottrade Center. Parking is available.

Be sure to check this journal for updates on the pre-game party and to follow the excitement of the Braves first game. Stay updated on all of the basketball action at BradleyBraves.com.