NCAA BK

Bradley Getting Inside

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Updated Dec 4, 2009 10:03 AM ET
     
 


Bradley coach Jim Les scoffed at his team's predicted sixth-place finish at the Missouri Valley Conference Media Day in late October. Then the Braves' season got off to a rough start. Senior guard Dodie Dunson suffered a season-ending broken left arm in the second game against Idaho State.

Dunson was the Braves' third-leading scorer last season with a 10.1 average, but just as important, he might have been Bradley's best perimeter defender. Maybe the Braves are used to adversity. It was the fourth straight year Bradley has lost a key player to injury. Luckily for the Braves, their deepest position is guard and Dunson's absence, while difficult, was lessened to an extent.

The return of junior guard Andrew Warren, who missed last season with a broken foot, and sophomore center Will Egolf, who played five games a year ago before suffering a torn ACL, have helped the Braves overcome Dunson's loss. Bradley hit the jackpot on Nov. 28 in Las Vegas when it upset No. 20-ranked Illinois, 72-68, in the third-place game of the Las Vegas Invitational.

Those who don't live in Illinois might not realize what the Bravesâ¿¿ victory over the Illini meant. It was more than just beating a ranked team. Bradley doesn't get many chances to take on the state's premier program. Bradley had lost four straight games to Illinois since beating the Illini in 1974. It was the kind of victory that could have ramifications at NCAA Tournament selection time as well as giving Bradley a huge shot of confidence.

Bradley has gotten strong play in the early going from sophomore forward Taylor Brown, who missed the first two games because of a violation of team rules. Brown is an athletic 6-6 forward who showed flashes late last season of his potential and averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in his first four games.

With Warren, senior Chris Roberts, junior Sam Maniscalco, sophomore Eddren McCain and freshman Dyricus Simms-Edwards, the Braves might have the Valley's best backcourt depth. The Braves will need Egolf to continue to develop up front as well as sophomore Anthony Thompson to combat some of the strong front lines in the Valley.
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