In case you missed it ...

Semester exams aren't just an annoyance for students. They also keep teams off the floor for many days, making fans a bit restless.

The wait for Bradley's next game (at UW-Milwaukee, Sat.) has seemed like about a month. So for those who've been hibernating, here's the news from the Valley since Sunday's matinee:

Award-winner

Guard Sam Maniscalco received the Country Financial Bradley Scholar-Athlete of the Week award on Wednesday. The Bradley sophomore won the award for the first time in his career.

He's the first men's basketball player to have the honor since April 2, 2008. Jeremy Crouch won it that day for the eighth and final time in his career.

Maniscalco will need to have some more big games, but he could end up having as successful of a Bradley career as Crouch did on and off of the court.

Read the press release from Bradley University: here

On the mend

Forward Sam Singh had surgery on his broken nose after getting whacked in the face against Southeast Missouri State. His status for Saturday sounded uncertain at the time of the report, but don't count on Singh against UW-Milwaukee.

As expected, no progress has been shown from guard Andrew Warren. Even though his original foot fracture looks healed, another smaller break may have occurred in his foot now.

Considering how important he will be to Bradley in the coming season(s), watch for him to get a medical redshirt soon. The Braves won't want to take chances with one of their best players and Warren, who has always shown a great love for the game, wouldn't likely want to waste a year of eligibility.

Read the full story by Dave Reynolds of the Journal Star: here

Recruit in limbo

The Braves still await a decision by the NCAA on forward John Wilkins, who was hoping to transfer to Bradley at the semester.

The situation is difficult because Wilkins played a few games with a professional team in Belgium. So, even if Wilkins is allowed to play at Bradley, he'll have to sit for five games as an NCAA punishment.

If I had to place a bet right now, I'd feel pretty safe putting it on the side that he isn't in a Bradley uniform this season, maybe ever.

A few more details in the Journal Star story: here

Playing the best

Even in a loss, Evansville continues to impress. The Purple Aces (7-2) lost by 18 points at No. 1 North Carolina (10-0) tonight but managed to play the unbeaten Tar Heels even for the first 10 minutes of the game.

Sure the best team in the nation pulled away and won fairly easily, but this is also a group that beat Michigan State in Detroit by 35 points. The Tar Heels have appeared invincible so far.

The bigger story must be that Evansville competed so well in extremely challenging circumstances. Little argument can be made that the Purple Aces should be competitive again in conference play. But are they contenders along with Creighton and Illinois State?

Once MVC games begin, the intensity level gets ratcheted up and familiarity sets in. Teams don't radically change their styles on a season by season basis, so every team in the Valley comes in with a built-in advantage against one another.

This doesn't bode well for Evansville, as their talent level doesn't match up to some of the top teams in the Valley. But, with their experience against some good non-conference opponents, the Purple Aces could finish in the upper half of the MVC. Like most of the conference, Evansville is just as puzzling as the next. Only time will tell how it will stacks up against the other nine.

Birds keep flapping

Speaking of puzzles, Illinois State continued its perfect season (10-0) by bullying another weak opponent. This time though, the weakling almost got in the final blow.

The Redbirds won at Central Michigan (3-6) by three points, 72-69. Not a single opponent that Illinois State has played this season has a winning record against Div. I opponents.

The UIC Flames (7-2) head to Normal on Saturday, giving the Redbirds a chance to finally knock off a good opponent. This game will give fans across the Valley a chance to see how good Illinois State can be going into conference play.

Countdown

Only 10 more days until conference games begin!

Game Nine Recap: SE Missouri State @ Bradley

62	75

The result was never in doubt, but the progress was in question. Bradley (5-4) cruised to an easy 75-62 victory over Southeast Missouri State (2-8) on Sunday afternoon.

The Braves jumped out to a 12-2 start and would eventually extend that lead to 30-10 in the first half. After the end result seemed pretty safe, head coach Jim Les began tinkering with the lineup, trying to see who will be able to provide quality minutes for the team.

Nine players were on the floor for double-digit minutes and that would have been 10 players if forward/center Sam Singh hadn't broken his nose early in the first half.

The Braves showed defensive intensity that wasn't there enough against Butler. Even though SEMO was fairly inept on offense, Bradley's 20 steals were still a remarkable total.

Both of Bradley's speedy freshman guards had good games. Darian Norris and Eddren McCain earned roles in the starting lineup after Les had put all spots up as an open competition this week.

Norris had a career high 12 points to go along with two assists and three steals. McCain's stat line was impressive as well, with seven points, six assists and two steals. Aside from a couple poor passes, McCain showed again why he should be the starting point guard for the rest of the season.

Saying that isn't a slight to guard Sam Maniscalco, who had five assists and only one turnover. But, when the lineup has both of these men in there, Maniscalco can slide to his more natural two-guard position. In reality, the Bradley offense involves so much motion that having two players with point guard ability only helps the offense run smoother.

Center David Collins, who was one of the players demoted from the starting lineup, responded to the backup role. He posted 10 points, three rebounds and five blocks. His intensity was turned up again on both ends of the floor.

Not to be lost in the shuffling should be forward Theron Wilson, who had his best game of the season, filling the stat sheet with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, four steals. Though not technically a team captain, Wilson's play often mirrors how the team performs as a whole.

The other member of the team that continues to deserve playing time is forward Taylor Brown. Even though he's a bit undersized for his position, Brown looks to be one of the best pure rebounders on the team, pulling in seven more Sunday. He has now averaged more than five per game since the Richmond matchup Nov. 26.

Bradley doesn't play again until Saturday when the Braves head north to Wisconsin to take on the UW-Milwaukee Panthers (5-5). This game is the final road test for Bradley before conference play begins. UWM has been inconsistent this season, just like the Braves, so this should be a pretty good matchup.

Other observations:

* - Rebounding still must a point of emphasis for Bradley. The team gave up too many offensive rebounds to SEMO (14 total). This will be a major downfall for the Braves come conference season if it isn't corrected soon.

The problem still remains though, that Les plays undersized lineups against every opponent. Much of rebounding involves desire, but team size also is a contributing factor.

* - Redshirt freshman center Anthony Thompson saw his first extended minutes of the season (11) and had his first basket in a Bradley uniform. He also chipped in three rebounds and a block. Thompson clearly has skills and looks smooth in the paint. Once he gets more seasoning for the Braves, Thompson will surely be a major contributor for years to come.

* - Even walk-ons Ned Goertzen, Brian Lavin and Ryan Phillips saw some time this game. Phillips made a rare appearance in the first half, playing the final two minutes.