Bradley defeats Southern Illinois 60-70

The Bradley Braves pulled off a stunning 70-60 upset over the Southern Illinois Salukis, a result that will send shockwaves through the college basketball world, particularly given the 10-point margin and the fact that Southern Illinois was favored by 7.3 points. This victory marks a significant statement for Bradley, which has now improved its record to 18-9, while Southern Illinois drops to 12-15. The Braves' win is all the more impressive considering they were facing a Southern Illinois team that had been averaging 73.4 points per game over its last 5 contests, outscoring opponents by 6.6 points in that stretch. In contrast, Bradley had been averaging 74.6 points per game over its last 5 games, but allowing 73.6 points, resulting in a slim 1.0-point average margin.

The game was closely contested in the first half, with both teams scoring 28 points, but Bradley exploded in the second half, outscoring Southern Illinois 42-32. This surge was fueled in part by Bradley's ability to contain Southern Illinois' high-powered offense, which had been clicking on all cylinders in recent games, including an 86-60 win over Evansville and an 80-65 victory over Indiana State. However, against Bradley, the Salukis were held to a season-low 60 points, a full 13.4 points below their average over the last 5 games. This defensive effort by Bradley was a key factor in the upset, as it allowed the Braves to overcome a 26-point performance by Southern Illinois' Quel'Ron House.

The stat line doesn't fully capture the impact of Jaquan Johnson, who scored 24 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for Bradley, including several crucial baskets in the second half that helped the Braves build their lead. Meanwhile, House's 26 points were not enough to propel Southern Illinois to victory, as he received limited support from his teammates, with Davion Sykes adding 12 points and 5 rebounds, but no other Saluki reaching double figures. On the other hand, Bradley had a more balanced attack, with Alex Huibregtse chipping in 14 points and Ahmet Jonovic adding 8 points, helping to spread the defense and create opportunities for Johnson and others.

The CHD Scout prediction of a 77-69 Southern Illinois victory, by a margin of 7.3 points, was misguided, as the actual outcome was a 10-point Bradley win.

The prediction model missed the fact that Bradley's defense, which had been allowing 73.6 points per game over its last 5 contests, would be able to shut down Southern Illinois' offense, limiting the Salukis to 60 points, a full 17 points below the predicted total. This defensive performance by Bradley was a significant factor in the upset, as it allowed the Braves to control the tempo and dictate the terms of the game. Furthermore, the model underestimated the ability of Bradley's offense to capitalize on Southern Illinois' defensive vulnerabilities, as the Braves were able to score 42 points in the second half, including several crucial baskets in the final minutes to seal the win.

The victory for Bradley is a significant boost to its tournament resume, particularly given that it came on the road against a Southern Illinois team that, despite its struggles, still boasts a respectable NET ranking of 117. This win, combined with Bradley's recent form, which includes a 95-84 victory over Belmont and a 72-65 win over Valparaiso, suggests that the Braves are a team to watch in the tournament conversation. With a current NET ranking of 118, Bradley is poised to make a push for a tournament berth, particularly if it can continue to perform well on the road, where it has now won 3 of its last 5 games.

The implications of this win for Bradley's tournament chances are significant, as it moves the Braves into a more favorable position in terms of quad wins and NET ranking. The graphic shows that Bradley's quad 2 win over Southern Illinois is a significant boost to its resume, and the Braves' current NET ranking of 118 suggests that they are on the cusp of breaking into the top 100. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for Southern Illinois, which had been trending upward in recent games, but now finds itself with a 12-15 record and a NET ranking of 117. The Salukis must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a tournament berth, particularly given the challenging schedule that lies ahead.

In terms of recent form, Bradley's win is a continuation of its strong play over the last 5 games, during which it has averaged 74.6 points per game and allowed 73.6 points. The Braves have been led by Johnson, who has averaged 20.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over this stretch, and Huibregtse, who has chipped in 13.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois has been paced by House, who has averaged 23.4 points over the last 5 games, but has received limited support from his teammates. The Salukis must find a way to get more production from their supporting cast if they hope to turn their season around and make a push for a tournament berth.

The 10-point margin of victory for Bradley is a reflection of the team's resilience and determination, as it was able to overcome a strong performance by House and a hostile road environment to emerge with the win. The Braves' ability to shut down Southern Illinois' offense and capitalize on their defensive vulnerabilities was a key factor in the upset, and suggests that they are a team to watch in the tournament conversation. With a strong finish to the season, Bradley could find itself in a favorable position come tournament time, particularly if it can continue to perform well on the road and against quality opponents.

The outcome of this game has real consequences for the tournament picture, particularly in terms of the bubble teams. Bradley's win over Southern Illinois is a significant boost to its resume, and the Braves are now poised to make a push for a tournament berth. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for Southern Illinois, which must regroup and refocus if it hopes to make a push for a tournament berth. The Salukis must find a way to get more production from their supporting cast and shore up their defense if they hope to turn their season around and make a push for a tournament berth.

In conclusion, Bradley's 70-60 upset over Southern Illinois is a significant statement for the Braves, who have now improved their record to 18-9 and are poised to make a push for a tournament berth. The victory is a reflection of the team's resilience and determination, and suggests that they are a team to watch in the tournament conversation. With a strong finish to the season, Bradley could find itself in a favorable position come tournament time, particularly if it can continue to perform well on the road and against quality opponents.