Peoria Journal-Star · Mar 24, 2019
Return to NCAA tournament brightens future for Bradley
PEORIA — Bradley’s best basketball this season came in the final six weeks when a 9-2 finish propelled the Braves into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.
It was an earlier six-week 2-9 stretch, though, that greatly determined the Braves’ eventual fate as a No. 15 seed and a meeting with fifth-ranked Michigan State, which ended Bradley’s season Thursday, 76-65.
“We could still be playing,” said coach Brian Wardle. “We could have beaten a lot of teams in this tournament. We’re a 15 seed and we put ourselves in that position by having a bad month. All 35 games matter. We can’t let up and give away possessions or games.”