Game One Recap: UIC @ Bradley

61	67

That was how preseason basketball should look!

Oh, that was a regular season game? Well, for Bradley and UIC's sake, it is only mid-November. After 52 fouls and 27 turnovers, both teams will have plenty of film to watch. Bradley (1-0) picked up its first win of the season without top returning scorer Andrew Warren (13.2 PPG in 2007-08), who still is still recovering from a surgery on his foot for a stress fracture.

Bradley made 33 of 47 free throws (70 percent), which helped offset the dismal shooting performance in the first half of the game (3 of 17, 17.6%). The Braves trailed 28-20 at halftime, which could have been much worse considering how sloppy the team's play.

Along with missing Warren's contributions, Bradley didn't get much contributions from their other returning leaders Theron Wilson and Sam Maniscalco during the first half. Wilson in particular looked particularly passive, choosing to pass outside when he got into a scoring position in the lane. Maybe Coach Jim Les gave them a swift kick in the rear at the break, as both looked like they were on a missing once the second 20-minute session began. Wilson finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Maniscalco chipped in 14 points himself.

New Braves Dodie Dunson and Chris Roberts arguably had the biggest influence on the outcome of the game. Dunson achieved his primary purpose by being Bradley's defensive stopper, slowing down Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Josh Mayo to 13 points on 5 of 14 shooting. Dunson also led Bradley in scoring with 21 points and 10 of 12 free throws.

Roberts had a nice stat line as well, scoring 12 and pulling down 7 rebounds. Roberts also had a thundering tip-slam that sent Carver Arena into a frenzy during the second half. His athleticism should be a big plus for a team that doesn't look like it will have the same outside shooting prowess that previous teams have had.

For as lethargic the Braves looked during stretches of the game Friday, a commitment to defense and rebounding was a welcomed change. This team showed that it has the ability to be good again, but it will need to win more games in the 60s instead of the 70s if it wants to finish near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Other observations:

* - Freshman Taylor Brown looked good again for the third straight game. His inside/outside game suits the Bradley offense well. Brown also brings a lot of energy to the floor, which was certainly lacking at times.

* - Redshirt freshman Anthony Thompson and sophomore Will Egolf did not play in the game. Coach Les used 9 players Friday and once Warren returns, another player's minutes will likely be reduced as well. Hopefully both get in the Florida game, as we need to get these players experience playing against other talented big men.

* - The new "boards" at Carver Arena are pretty noticeable, with new LCD-like screens on the press table as well as the baselines. Even though I had read some speculation about it being distracting, I don't feel like this has any influence on either team's performance.

* - Bradley needs to scrap the white-out idea. The primary color of the university is red and most wear that to the game. The participation last year for the Michigan State game was amazing, but that was a once in a lifetime game. But in reality, when you use a color that bright and you just get partial participation, it comes out looking strange:

(Note: I'd normally crop out people's heads from photos. But, anyone knows that when you have a part of "Super Fan Jay" in your shot, he has to stay there.)

* - This was the first of a few games I'll actually be able to attend in person this season. I tried to take some other photos too, and I'll post them soon.