Bradley University Basketball: A Legacy of Braves on the Court

The Bradley Braves men's basketball team, representing Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, has a rich history in NCAA Division I competition. As a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Braves have established themselves as a formidable program with a tradition of success.

Early Years and the Robertson Era (1920-1948)

The foundation of Bradley basketball was laid by Alfred J. Robertson, who took the reins as coach of both the football and basketball teams in 1920. Robertson's impact was profound, coaching both teams until 1948 and becoming Bradley's all-time winningest coach with 316 victories over 26 seasons. A notable moment occurred in 1939 when Bradley, boasting a 19-3 record, received invitations to both the inaugural NCAA Tournament and the second National Invitation Tournament. The Braves declined the NCAA Tournament bid, a decision that allowed Oregon, a team Bradley had previously defeated, to participate and ultimately become the inaugural NCAA champion.

The Forddy Anderson Era and the Shadow of Scandal (1948-1954)

Following Robertson's death, Forrest "Forddy" Anderson was hired from Drake. In 1950, the Braves, under Anderson, achieved a 32-5 record and won the MVC, securing a bid to the NCAA tournament. However, the program faced a significant challenge in 1951 when a point-shaving scandal, originating with CCNY, implicated Bradley players. Gene Melchiorre, Bill Mann, Bud Grover, Aaron Preece, and Jim Kelly admitted to accepting bribes to manipulate scores in games against St. Joseph's and Oregon State. Melchiorre, Mann, and George Chianakos pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

The Vanatta and Orsborn Years: NIT Success (1954-1965)

Bob Vanatta briefly coached the Braves, leading them to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in 1955. Chuck Orsborn, a Bradley alum, then took over in 1956, and in his first year, the Braves captured their first NIT championship, defeating Memphis State in 1957. The team continued its NIT success, reaching the championship game in 1959 and winning their second title in 1960 against Providence. Under Orsborn, the Braves consistently ranked in the top-20, including top-six finishes from 1959 to 1962. In 1962, they shared the MVC crown with Cincinnati. A return to the NIT in 1964 resulted in the Braves' third NIT championship in eight years.

The Stowell Era (1965-1978)

Joe Stowell, an assistant under Orsborn, became head coach in 1965. During his 13-year tenure, the Braves made only two postseason appearances: the 1968 NIT and the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational tournament.

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The Dick Versace Era (1978-1986)

Bradley hired Dick Versace in 1978. Versace led Bradley to the MVC regular season and tournament championships in 1980, losing to Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament, 55-53. In 1986, Versace was named Basketball Writers' Association as the Braves went 32-3 and were ranked as high as #7 in the nation during the season, capturing the MVC title before falling to eventual national champion Louisville in the NCAA tournament second round. His back court players included future NBA All Star Hersey Hawkins and future NBAer and Bradley Head Coach Jim Les.

The Stan Albeck Era (1986-1991)

Bradley alumnus and former Chicago Bulls head coach Stan Albeck was hired to lead the Braves in 1986. In 1988, Albeck led the Braves to the MVC regular season and tournament titles behind National Player of the Year and national scoring leader Hersey Hawkins, and finished #11 in the final Associated Press Poll before losing to Auburn in the NCAA tournament, 90-86.

The Jim Molinari Era (1991-2002)

Bradley turned to Northern Illinois University head coach Jim Molinari to lead the Braves in 1991. After NIT appearances in 1994 and 1995 the Braves, led by future NBA first round draft pick Anthony Parker, captured the MVC championship in 1996 and advanced to the NCAA tournament where they were defeated by Stanford, 66-58.

The Jim Les Era (2002-2011)

Bradley turned to another alum, Jim Les, to take over for Molinari. Les was a senior on the 1986 Braves squad that went 32-3 before losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament. In 2006, the Braves won their final five games of the season to finish in a tie for fifth place in MVC play. The Braves surprised in the MVC tournament, reaching the championship game before losing to Southern Illinois. The Braves received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 13 seed, their first trip to the Tournament since 1996. In the Tournament, the Braves upset No. 4-ranked Kansas in the first round and upset No. 5-ranked Pittsburgh to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1955.

The Geno Ford Era (2011-2015)

Kent State head coach Geno Ford was hired to replace Les. Ford's teams struggled under his leadership, failing to win more than seven games in conference play and finishing in last place in his first and final years at Bradley. The Braves did receive an invite to the College Basketball Invitational in 2013, where they advanced to the quarterfinals. In his final year, the Braves finished 9-24, 3-15 in MVC play.

The Brian Wardle Era (2015-Present)

Following Geno Ford's firing, the school hired Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle. In Wardle's first year, the Braves continued their struggles, finishing the season 5-24 and in last place in the MVC. Wardle would have over 10 freshmen and only Donte Thomas was an active player who stayed from the Geno Ford era. In 2017, with Junior Donte Thomas as their best player, the 2017 Braves team improved to a 13-20 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in MVC play. In 2018 the Braves finished 20-13 while going 9-9 in the conference. They defeated Drake in the first round of the MVC tournament. Loyola-Chicago, the eventual standout Final Four team. In 2019 Wardle led the Braves to the Cancun Challenge championship over Penn State. After this the Braves slumped and went 0-5 in conference play. The Braves regrouped and finished 5th in MVC play at 9-9. They beat Missouri State and upset Loyola-Chicago. Bradley looked to capture their first MVC tournament title since 1988. They played UNI, the 6 seed, and were down by 18 points in the second half. Bradley rallied and cut the deficit to 6 with a 12-0 point run. The Braves went on to win the game. They entered March Madness for the first time since 2006 but lost to Michigan State 76-65 in the opening round. Wardle led the Braves to another improved season in 2019-20. Bradley finished with an overall record of 23-11 and 11-7 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Bradley won the MVC tournament title for the second year in a row.

Postseason History

The Braves have appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments and have advanced to two final fours and two national championship games. Their combined record is 11-9. The Braves have appeared in 24 National Invitation Tournaments and are four-time champions (1957, 1960, 1964, and 1982). The Braves have participated in one College Basketball Invitational in 2008 where they advanced to the 3-game series final. The Braves have participated in two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT). In 2009 where they advanced to the championship game. Bradley participated in the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament where they advanced to the semifinals. The Braves appeared in, and hosted, the only National Campus Basketball Tournament.

Notable Players and the Team of the Century

The Bradley athletic department celebrated 100 years of Braves basketball in the 2003-04 season. Fans were given the opportunity to select the greatest players from each of seven specific timelines, resulting in a total of 60 players. Throughout the 2002-03 season, those 60 players were honored at selected games. Fans were given the opportunity to help select the 15 greatest players in the program's history, creating the team of the century. The team was honored during a ceremony at the Peoria Civic Center on November 21, 2003. In addition to the “Team of the Century,” Braves fans also selected a “Game of the Century” by voting games through a 16-entry, tournament format.

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