Bradley Braves (20-10)
America East: 5th(t), 11-7
RPI: 34 AP: na
Big Wins: Missouri State (86-76), at UNI (71-49), vs
Wichita St (60-52)
Bad Losses: at Butler (60-70), at Drake (73-75), at Indiana St
(63-75)
Last NCAA Appearance: 1996, First Round
Top Players:
Marcellus Sommerville, Sr, F, 15.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Patrick O’Bryant, So, C, 13.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.1 bpg
Tony Bennett, Sr, G, 11.0 ppg, 2.9 apg
Daniel Ruffin, So, G, 7.7 ppg, 5.2 apg
The Braves won seven in a row before falling to Southern Illinois in the MVC
Tournament Final. They have a superstar in Marcellus Sommerville and plenty
of quality around him. Patrick O’Bryant is an underrated center who can
score, rebound and block. Daniel Ruffin has proven that he is a quality
point guard, dishing out 5.2 assists per contest. The starters can compete
with anybody, but the key for Bradley to have success is their bench.
Players like Zach Andrews, Jeremy Crouch, Will Franklin and J.J. Tauai need
to be productive when Coach Jim Les needs to go to his bench. The numbers
aren’t great in the turnover and three-point shooting categories, but the
Braves are solid at the line, blocking shots and forcing turnovers. If they
play their game, Bradley can win a game or two.
Seed: 14
First Round: Kansas
Joel's Likely
Finish: First Round
CHN's Official Prediction: First
Round
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All 65 NCAA Tournament Team Capsules
