WATCH: Bradley guard Duke Deen 3-pointer to reach 1,000 career points
Bradley Braves point guard Duke Deen hit a 3 with 12 minutes left in the game to become 54th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points.
PEORIA — The Bradley Braves begin the Missouri Valley Conference season in earnest today when Valparaiso comes into Carver Arena for a 3 p.m. tip.
Bradley (10-2, 1-0) has played just one game since Dec. 21, a big home victory against Canisius. This is the first of 19 straight MVC games for the league favorite Braves. They opened the MVC season Dec. 3 with a win at Southern Illinois.
Valpo (7-5, 0-1) has won three of its last four including a win last weekend before a week-long layoff. The Beacons opened MVC play with a 66-60 loss to Drake on Dec. 5.
Follow along here for updates from Peoria:
| TEAMS | 1st half | 2nd half | — | FINAL |
| Valparaiso | 00 | 00 | — | 00 |
| Bradley | 00 | 00 | — | 00 |
- Kenpom ranking: Bradley No. 72, Valparaiso No. 218
- Kenpom says: Bradley 84, Valparaiso 70 (91%)
- Massey computer says: Bradley 82, Valparaiso 66 (80%)
- NET ranking: Bradley No. 65, Valparaiso No. 213
- CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Ranking: Bradley No. 4
- MidMajorBasketball.com Mid-Major Ranking: No. 20
- BracketBustersHoops.com Mid-Major Ranking: No. 17
- Basketball.realgm.com Mid-Major Rankings: No. 14
- Preseason poll: Bradley No. 1 in MVC. Valparaiso No. 10 in 12-team MVC
- Records: Bradley 10-2, 1-0 MVC. Valparaiso 7-5, 0-1 MVC
- All-time series: Bradley, 12-5
- Coaches: Bradley, Brian Wardle 10th year (168-140). Valparaiso, Roger Powell 2nd year (14-30)
The Braves rank No. 1 in the nation in 3-point shooting at 45.7%. … The Braves are No. 2 in the nation in effective field goal percentage at 60%. … The Braves are 9-0 this season and 20-3 last season when scoring at least 75 points in a game. … Bradley has won 10 straight at Carver Arena and is 46-6 on its home floor back through the 2021-22 season. … Bradley point guard Duke Deen is a team-best 14.8 ppg and 54 assists in 12 outings. … BU guard Zek Montgomery is shooting 54.8% from 3-point range and produces 13.0 ppg. … Senior forward Darius Hannah leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and 20 steals. … Christian Davis has a team-best 13 blocked shots. … Valparaiso 6-foot-10 sophomore center Cooper Schwieger leads the Beacons with 13.0 ppg, 7.6 rebounds and 16 blocks. … Beacons forward Kaspar Sepp delivers 6.8 rebounds per game off the bench. … Schwieger and junior Canadian guard Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro are the only two players who have started every game for Valpo. … The Braves get Indiana State on the road on New Year’s Day.
- Date: Dec. 29, 2024
- Time: 3 p.m. CT
- Location: Carver Arena, Peoria, Illinois
What channel is the Bradley vs Valpo game on today?
Bradley vs Valpo live stream options
Bradley vs Valparaiso will be streaming on ESPN+. A subscription is required.
Bradley basketball vs Valpo betting odds
Game lines and odds from Bet MGM as of early Sunday:
- Spread: Bradley -14.5
- Over/under: 150.5
- Moneyline: Bradley -880, Valpo +630
Record: 10-2
- Nov. 4: Bradley 88, Southeast Missouri State 60
- Nov. 8: Washington State 91, Bradley 74
- Nov. 12: Bradley 85, UTSA 72
- Nov. 16: Bradley 76, Northern Illinois 60
- Nov. 21: Bradley 82, Texas State 68
- Nov. 22: Bradley 77, Wright State 74
- Nov. 24: Bradley 80, Middle Tennessee 69
- Nov. 29: Bradley 107, Judson 41
- Dec. 3: Bradley 83, Southern Illinois 60
- Dec. 14: Santa Clara 84, Bradley 74 at Jack Jones Classic
- Dec. 18: Bradley 66, San Francisco 64
- Dec. 21: Bradley 92, Canisius 59
- Dec. 29: vs Valparaiso, 3 p.m., Carver Arena | ESPN+
- Jan. 1: at Indiana State, Hulman Center, 6 p.m. | MVCTV
- Jan. 4: vs Missouri State, Carver Arena, 7 p.m. | CBSSN
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Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
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