Bradley Plays in the National Invitation Tournament

Traveling to Wisconsin

(St. Louis, MO) – Three Missouri Valley Conference teams are playing post season basketball and Bradley plays in the National Invitation Tournament. The Braves (25-9) travel to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Big Ten’s Badgers.

After winning the Missouri Valley’s regular season title and then losing the Arch Madness championship game, the team is playing in the NIT. Head coach Brian Wardle had to help his players get over the disappointment of that title game loss and of missing the NCAA Tournament. He gave his team two days off, but then they went back to work.

Speaking from the team bus on the way to Madison, Wardle says the team realizes they are playing in a big time tournament with a lot to achieve.

“We get to play a Big Ten team on their home floor,” said Wardle. “This is one of those Quad One games that we played earlier in the season when we weren’t healthy. We’re healthy now and looking forward to the challenge.”

Scouting The Badgers

Wardle’s playing career was in Wisconsin (Marquette) and his first head coaching job was at Green Bay. He has great respect for the Wisconsin (17-14) program and what Dick Bennett, Bo Ryan and now Greg Gard have built. He says the Badgers are an NCAA Tournament caliber team, but mid season injuries to Tyler Wahl hindered their chances to succeed. Wahl is healthy now and the 6’9, 225 pound forward has a multifaceted game.

Wardle says Wisconsin always has good big men.

“They grow them big in Wisconsin,” joked Wardle. “Young basketball players grow up wanting to play for the Badgers. They recruit to their style. Wisconsin likes to play a slow, inside out style and they are very particular about when they push the pace.”

Point guard Chucky Hepburn is a versatile guard that is particularly good in pick and roll situations. The 6’2 sophomore will be someone the Braves need to contain. Look for Connor Hickman and Zek Montgomery take turns on Hepburn.

“We have to put a bigger guard on Hepburn,” said Wardle. “He’s a really good player, but he is also big and strong and a smaller guard won’t be able to contain him on those pick and roll plays.”

Gard and Wardle are each in their eighth head coaching season with their current teams and know each other well and have great respect for one another. The Bradley coach says Gard has continued the strong Badger culture.

Bradley Plays in the National Invitation Tournament

This is not the tournament the Braves wanted to be in but Wardle believes it is a great opportunity for his team.

“I reminded them there are just 100 teams still playing (NCAA & NIT),” said Wardle. “And we have something to play for and another chance to compete. It’s an honor to play a Big Ten team on their home floor and continue to prove we are an upper level basketball program.”

Senior wing Ville Tahvanainen missed the Arch Madness final with concussion symptons. He has been cleared and practiced with the team this week.

The rest of the team was frustrated with the way they played in the Arch Madness final. The Braves didn’t shoot as well as normal and got off to a slow start, but fifth year senior Ja’Shon Henry continued to shine. He was the team’s most consistent performer in St. Louis.

“That’s why he was the league’s ‘Sixth Man’,” said Wardle. “Ja’Shon is a great person from a great family and is a true leader. He’s always been very honest with his own game. He knows his strengths and his limitations. Ja’Shon knows his role and competed like a veteran player.”

After the National Invitation Tournament

Coach Wardle is competitive and wants to win Tuesday’s game (8:30 pm – ESPN) in Madison, but he is also building a program.

“We are always looking to improve both on and off the court,” said Wardle. “From the way we travel, to our scheduling, everything. We want people to know that they have to come through Peoria, if they want to make noise in the Valley. This tournament gives us a chance to compete with high level competition and to build momentum into next season.”

He is bullish about next season.

“I love my current team and the one we have coming back.”

During eight seasons at Bradley, Wardle’s teams have won two Arch Madness titles and one regular season crown. All three of those championships have occurred during the past five seasons.

While Bradley plays in the National Invitation Tournament, realize you’re watching a team and a program that is built to last and built to win.

Do Good