Creighton has bounced back from a two-game losing streak, posting convincing wins over Missouri State and Southern Illinois. The Bluejays return to the CenturyLink Center court on Saturday afternoon to host Bradley in the now annual Pink-Out game.
Bradley has made some strides under second year head coach Geno Ford and looks a lot different than the team that had gone 19-45 total and 6-30 in MVC play the past two seasons.
The Braves come in at 13-9 on the season and sit in the middle of the pack in Valley play at 5-5, including a big win over their rival Illinois State on Wednesday night. They will come to Omaha playing their third of the past four games on the road.
To get us caught up on the Bradley Braves, we talked to Dave Reynolds of the Peoria Journal-Star and BradleyHoops.com. Here is what he had to say.
White & Blue Review: It is Geno Ford’s second year at Bradley. How are fans responding to his direction of the program? Does it appear they are making progress since Jim Les was let go?
Dave Reynolds: Bradley fans have had to learn patience over the past couple of decades. Considering they were coming off a last-place finish and had lost their three best players heading into last year, most reasonable fans figured a major rebuilding job was ahead for Ford. They were 7-25 last year and are 13-9 right now with virtually the same team (plus Tyshon Pickett and Will Egolf). So the prevailing opinion is he has the program back on track and better days are ahead.
WBR: We are over halfway through MVC play and this is the first match of Creighton and Bradley. Is it easier to prepare for the Bluejays when the two games are so close together? Should they have played one of the games already?
DR: Coaches have always told me it is easier to prepare when the games are close together because often nothing much changes. In this case, though, there’s 25 days between games so that’s a decent time span. In an ideal world, the schedule is more uniform. But both Bradley and Creighton play in municipal arenas and they have to work around other events for their schedule.
WBR: Who has been the biggest surprise for the Braves this season?
DR: Walt Lemon, Jr. He’s always been quick and athletic and often out of control. This year he’s become a much better basketball player. He anticipates much better defensively as his 52 steals attest. He’s shooting better and finding teammates better on penetration. He goes to his right much better. And he’s developing a pull-up jumper instead of just going full-out to the basket every time.
WBR:What kind of weaknesses could Creighton exploit that Bradley has?
DR: It’s no secret the Braves are a below average 3-point shooting team. Most Valley teams have done a good job on BU defensively clogging the lane to prevent dribble drives and post scoring. Especially if Will Egolf doesn’t play, the Braves are suspect on the perimeter.
WBR: What can you tell us about the Will Egolf situation and the arrest, suspension and reinstatement? Was it handled properly?
DR: I think the Egolf situation was handled properly. The kid’s intentions were not sinister; he just went about it the wrong way. He was trying to get pain relief for his right knee, which has undergone three major surgeries. Now meeting a guy in a parking lot instead of asking the Bradley trainer for something is obviously not how to do it. Whether he was out of his prescription or just didn’t want to bother anybody on New Year’s Eve is a question I haven’t gotten fully answered. But I think missing four games, getting jailed, fined, sentenced and publicly embarrassed is plenty of punishment for a first-time offender under these circumstances.
WBR: Many people will remember last season when Doug McDermott scored a career high 44 points in the game at Bradley. This season, McDermott hit 14 straight baskets in the second half of a game against Missouri State. How do you stop him and who will get the assignment to try and stop him?
DR: To borrow a trite old phrase, “You can’t stop him; you can only hope to contain him.” I think Bradley is better equipped now compared to last year to hold Doug down. The Braves’ help defense, which was non-existent in that 44-point game, is 100 percent better. I’m sure several guys will get a shot at guarding him — I’m guessing Jake Eastman will start — to give him different looks. And they may throw a zone in there as well. As a basketball fan, I love Doug’s fundamentals and creativity. He’s fun to watch.
WBR: The MVC has been relatively untouched throughout all of the conference changes the past few years. Although things have been a little quiet lately, what is your take on potential additional changes to conference affiliations? Is there a threat to he MVC?
DR: Regarding the MVC, I would be surprised if Creighton does not leave eventually for the Catholic league. It’s too lucrative financially to pass up, it appears they’re wanted and I think the Valley would give CU its blessing. Creighton has been a great, upstanding member of the Valley for a long time. The only downside I see for Creighton is the increased travel expense for teams other than men’s basketball. And that should be easily absorbed by increases in TV and NCAA tournament revenues. If Creighton leaves, I think it opens the door for other Valley schools to jump. I’m not sure which ones yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a couple departed for leagues that better serve their needs.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will Bradley need to do to pull out the upset on Saturday?
DR: I’ll pick Creighton by about a dozen. Bradley will guard the Jays better this year and Creighton doesn’t appear to me to be that much improved defensively. So it could be something like 77-65.