Some Michigan State nostalgia

Even though Bradley lost to Michigan State on December 4, 2007, the game had the feel like no other game I've ever attended at Carver Arena. The entire crowd, even the older folks, stood from nearly start to finish.

Both star point guard Drew Neitzel and head coach Tom Izzo had very complimentary things to say about Bradley's fans after the game. If only it were like that every night at Carver Arena.

Anyway, it's fun to think back to that game and how electric everything was about playing the Spartans. To pay tribute to that, I've compiled another slideshow of pictures. This time unfortunately, the quality leaves something to be desired. But, that's what you get indoors on a little Kodak point-and-shoot from the stands.

Click the photo above to view a slideshow.

(Note: I have only been following Bradley since 2002, so I'm certain there are other games that those "older" folks may remember that rank up there with this game. I've read plenty about the mythical seven overtime game against Cincinnati in 1960. To read more about this game and other Bradley classics, check out the Journal Star's Fieldhouse tribute here: http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php/fieldhouse/archives/bradley_stuns_cincinnati/)

Finding a way to beat the Spartans

For Bradley fans, the optimists will see that Michigan State just got whipped by North Carolina and squeaked by Wichita State (who was picked to finish 9th in the Valley this year). The pessimists can simply reply, "But it's still Michigan State."

The Braves will need a herculean effort to beat the Spartans on their home floor, especially without center Will Egolf and guard Andrew Warren. Michigan State will be out for blood after losing by 35 to the No. 1 team in the country.

How does Bradley stand a chance? Quite a few things need to fall the Braves way, including:

* - Outside shooting - Wichita State hung close with the Spartans, but only hit 7-of-23 from 3-point range (30.4 percent). With an even better shooting team last year, Bradley hit 8-of-25 (32 percent) against Michigan State. Guards Chris Roberts and Dodie Dunson will need to keep knocking down treys if Bradley's going to stay in the game.

* - Rebounding - On the opposite side of the spectrum, this year's team has been rebounding much more effectively than the 2007-08 team. The ugliest aspect of the matchup last season came in this department, where the Spartans clobbered Bradley on the boards, 48-29.

Good news for the Braves: Michigan State center Goran Suton had arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss the next 2-4 weeks. Suton had 11 rebounds against Bradley and fellow big man Drew Naymick (10 rebounds) graduated.

* - Maturity - Good thing most of the players on the Bradley roster didn't play in the game last time the Braves were in East Lansing, Mich. The 82-53 drubbing was one of the worst losses in recent memory.

But, just as all the new players don't have memories, they also haven't had to play in a hostile environment yet. Turnovers have been a problem for Bradley so far, and this game must be the one to correct that. What Bradley lacks in talent must be made up in heart and intelligence.

Home teams seem to have a bigger advantage in college basketball than any other major sport. The Breslin Center certainly fits that mold, with the boisterous Izzone student section. Composure will be critical for the Braves in this environment.

* - New roles - Bradley centers David Collins and Anthony Thompson must grow up really quickly. Neither saw many minutes with how well Egolf had been playing. But everything changed with that one nasty slip to the Carver Arena floor.

Collins may be a veteran, but he plays like a boy at times. His lack of aggressiveness can't be taught, he just has to bring it. Collins showed signs of turning the corner at the end of last season but has since regressed.

He has a nice shooting touch and can be an intimidating force in the lane. Some of his critics say he doesn't have as much talent, but that argument is bogus. Forward/center Sam Singh isn't the most athletically gifted player, but he always gives everything he has on the floor and provides positive results. Collins has a second life after the Egolf injury and needs to remind everyone why he's on the team.

Thompson will finally get his chance to play after redshirting last season and playing sparingly in 2008. He received recognition as a pretty highly touted recruit coming to Bradley, but hasn't really gotten to prove why. There's no reason that he can't be the starting center for years to come, so start showing that now.

If the Braves can get a decent amount of production from the two (maybe 8-10 points & rebounds), that will go a long way to giving Bradley a chance Sunday.

* - Make 'em shoot - Michigan State hasn't shot much better than Bradley this season from 3-point range (35 to 32 percent) or from the field (47 to 44). With all of the attention the Braves must focus on preventing second chance opportunities, maybe dropping into a zone and making Spartans shoot over it will help.

You can bet that coach Jim Les will try it at some point during the game. Changing up defenses was what kept Bradley in the game for so long against Florida. With all of the time he has had to prepare, Les should throw many different looks out there to confuse Michigan State.

***

From a scheduling perspective, Bradley catches the Spartans at the best possible time. The Braves have been able to formulate a game plan for a week, whereas Michigan State only has two days. All of the preparation will help Bradley keep the game fairly close, but the talent level of the Spartans (especially at home) will likely win out in the end.

Final prediction: Michigan State 74 Bradley 64

Game Six Recap: ETSU @ Bradley

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Bradley showed it was vastly superior to East Tennessee State even without guard Andrew Warren. Now the Braves will have to come together even more after a serious injury to starting center Will Egolf.

Finally, head coach Jim Les had found an interior player who could play with intensity and skill. But in one ugly twist of the knee, Egolf looks to be gone for the season. He crumpled to the ground after turning to attempt a shot near the basket midway through the second half.

Even watching the game online, you could feel the air go right out of the arena. Bradley finished the game as feebly as Egolf was escorted off the floor, clearly in shock after such a disappointing turn of events.

The game looked very promising as Bradley jumped all over ETSU to start the game, running 17 straight points into a 17-2 lead. Most of these were put in by guard Dodie Dunson who started the game on fire again, just like against Florida Gulf Coast. Dunson finished as the Braves' leading scorer with 17 points.

Guard Chris Roberts continues to improve nightly, scoring 16 points including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. His athleticism makes your jaw drop at least once or twice a game.

Forward Theron Wilson chipped in 12 points, the same total he's had in four of Bradley's six games. His consistent scoring might be trumped in importance by Wilson's rebounding intensity (8 for the game, the same as he's averaging on the season).

The freshmen also continue to show they belong in the Bradley rotation. Guard Eddren McCain had his best game in a Braves' uniform, dishing out four assists to go along with 10 points. Forward Taylor Brown, who will surely see more minutes with the Egolf injury, had a nice performance of seven points and six rebounds.

Other observations:

* - Moving on - In addition to Brown, look for redshirt freshman center Anthony Thompson to be slid into the rotation with Egolf out for at least awhile. Center David Collins needs to show more aggressiveness, otherwise he'll still be planted on the bench even with Egolf going down.

* - Playing hurt - Chicago Cubs radio broadcaster Ron Santo calls pitcher Ted Lilly "The Bulldog" because of his ability to seemingly always get through tough situations. If the Braves have their own "Bulldog," it has to be guard Sam Maniscalco. The sophomore has been playing nearly 30 minutes per game even though he's got a nagging foot problem.

After a torrid week that included travel, four games and his 20th birthday, Maniscalco turned in a flawless eight assist, zero turnover game against ETSU.

* - Root for North Carolina? - This might be a little tough to do if you're a fan of non-BCS conference teams. But, the top-ranked Tar Heels have a date with Michigan State on Wednesday. Hopefully it's a tough game that wears down the Spartans, Bradley's next opponent.

Going up to the Breslin Center isn't an easy task for any team, but especially a Braves' team as ravaged as it is with injuries. Maybe North Carolina's fast paced style can help Bradley keep it close against the Spartans. (But don't count on it.)

Chicago Invitational Challenge

Tonight was the first evening that I didn't watch Bradley play live (TV or in person). But, this happened because I attended the final two games of the Chicago Invitational Challenge here in the Chicago suburbs.

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Watching Northern Iowa without big Eric Coleman was a bit strange. But, all teams must move on — something Panthers surely have done with a lineup of new guards.

Most of the ball handling duties were assigned to Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Ali Farokhmanesh, two names that the PA announcer certainly had his troubles announcing. Ahelegbe redshirted last season after suffering a shoulder injury and Farokhmanesh comes to Northern Iowa as a junior college transfer. But, both handled the pressure well, even with so little Division I experience.

Their skill sets differ, which is a good change of pace for Northern Iowa to throw at opponents. Farokhmanesh has nice touch from the outside (4 of 6 from 3 point range) and Ahelegbe slashes to the basket with agility (5 of 8 free throws, most attempts for the team).

Freshman guard Johnny Moran also looked good, scoring 13 points and grabbing three rebounds.

The Panthers' guards will be able to perform adequately this season, but the biggest question marks come with Northern Iowa's interior players.

Even fans of the other schools watching the game couldn't help but focus on 7-footer Jordan Eglseder. Those in attendance were able to see a junior who played with confidence against the more athletic post presence of Auburn.

He moves well down low and has a soft touch with his shot. The way he looked, there's no reason he couldn't make the MVC all-conference team. Few teams have the personnel to guard Eglseder effectively.

He hasn't been getting to the line much this season (only five attempts through six games). Maybe the lack of chances was the reason, but Eglseder sat on the bench for the final 4:55 of a close game. No reports have surfaced of an injury, so this situation appears to just be a coach's decision.

Lucas O'Rear played 28 minutes and looked like the guy who will replace some of Coleman's minutes. He looked to have good basketball IQ and can chip in around the basket (see: Sam Singh, Bradley).

Adam Koch had a quiet tournament (11 points in two games), but he's already shown in the past that he's a good player.

Sure, Northern Iowa got blasted by Marquette on Friday, but no team in the Valley has the talent of the Golden Eagles. The Panthers should be considered a certainty to at least finish in the middle of the pack.

Click the photo above to view a slideshow.

Game two: Dayton 89, No. 15 Marquette 75

Watch out for these two teams. Though this game doesn't fall inside the MVC scope, be alert for these teams come tournament time. The Auburn-Northern Iowa game was entertaining, but the athleticism for Dayton and Marquette made the first two teams look like a junior varsity squad.

Expect both squads to be in the NCAA tournament. I won't spend too much time discussing this game, but I've provided another sideshow to show some of the great moments.

Click the photo above to view a slideshow.