Long Time Journalists Remember
(St. Louis, MO) – Saturday brings to us the 139th edition of the ‘War on 74’. The basketball game between Illinois State and Bradley is more than just a college basketball game. These two Missouri Valley Conference schools are separated by less than a 40-mile trip on Interstate 74.
While the teams have played games for decades when Illinois State joined the MVC in 1980, the rivalry reached a new level of intensity. Retired sports writers Dave Reynolds (Peoria Journal Star) and Jim Benson (Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph) have fond memories of this storied rivalry.
Reynolds tells us the flames of the ‘War on 74’ were stoked by the clashing personalities of Bradley coach Dick Versace and Bob Donewald. Benson says sold out arenas was the norm in some of the most legendary times of this regional rivalry.
Head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts to hear our conversation with Dave Reynolds and Jim Benson.
Thanks for listening and Do Good
Editor: Cover photo of Anthony Parker, courtesy of BradleyBraves.com.
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Flooding, lightning strikes, etc. have cost @RacersHoops two home games. Had to play 'neutral site' tonight instead of at home and Wednesday's goes from home to away. Tough break for the Racers, and the whole area has been hit with difficulties. #FatherHarry
Murray State's scheduled home game Wednesday vs. Southern Illinois being moved to Banterra Center in Carbondale. #ValleyHoops
Gigantic game for @BradleyUMBB today in Des Moines. If they have a chance to catch @DrakeBulldogsMB, they have to win today. The Bulldogs can basically win the title today. @BustingBrackets breaks it all down. #FatherHarry https://bit.ly/3EGiVgi
Not rooting for any particular @ValleyHoops, but chaos is always fun. If things break certain ways, after today there could be a six-way tie for fifth place.
Fun to listen to @MLBLarry on the @SIU_Basketball/@BelmontMBB game tonight. Good job brother. #FatherHarry
