Bradley Basketball

Cinderella Madness

WhatIfSports.com and CollegeHoops.net have partnered up to bring you Cinderella Madness 2012.

This college basketball simulation tournament features 16 of the most memorable Cinderella stories from the past eight seasons. We invited teams outside the Big Six conferences seeded seventh or lower that advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond in their bracket to participate.

Utilizing our award-winning college basketball simulation engine, we "played" each matchup 501 times.

View the 16-team Cinderella Madness bracket.

2010-11 Butler

No Gordon Hayward, but Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard were back as key figures for the Bulldogs, who also relied on tough defender Ronald Nored at the point.

After a three-game losing streak that culminated with a 62-60 loss at Youngstown State on February 3rd, Butler would reel off 14-straight wins to reach the title game for the second-straight season.

The Bulldogs relied on a stout defense and timely shooting to make their run, with Howard's bucket as time expired beating Old Dominion to set up a third-round matchup with top seed Pittsburgh. But the good fortune ran out in the title game, where the Bulldogs shot the lowest percentage for a finalist in the modern era.

2005-06 Bradley

Jim Les' alma mater was one of the more surprising entries into the tournament field in 2006 as they boasted a pedestrian 11-7 mark in MVC play. But the Braves got hot at the right time, winning seven straight to reach the MVC tournament final, with the seventh win being a 60-52 triumph over regular season champ Wichita State.

They would rebound from a loss to Southern Illinois to beat Kansas and Pittsburgh thanks in part to two performances from Patrick O'Bryant that likely cemented his status as a lottery pick. O'Bryant was one of four Bradley players to average double figures with the high-flying Marcellus Sommerville leading the way.

Bradley had an RPI of 29 and a strength of schedule of 61, likely bolstered by the overall strength of the MVC. Bradley's season ended in the Sweet 16, where the team fell 80-64 to top-seeded Memphis.

-Raphielle Johnson, CollegeHoops.net

Game recap

Butler's Howard was known for his scrappy play, over-sized t-shirt under the jersey and at times, proud proprietor of upper lip whiskers that understandably required a Facebook fan page.

He averaged 14.8 points per game during the Bulldogs' run in the 2011 NCAA tournament, but in our Cinderella Madness opening round, Howard was M.I.A. The big man scored six points (1-7 FG) in 29 minutes as Bradley renewed their run in the opening round of Cinderella Madness.

Mack (20 points) led the first-half charge as the Bulldogs built an eight-point lead with six minutes to go before the half. Bradley's Sommerville rallied the Braves and tied the game before Chase Stigall buried a three-ball as the halftime buzzer sounded.

Mack's bucket two minutes into the second half boosted Butler's lead back to seven, 37-30. But over the next eight minutes, Bradley rattled off a 19-9 run and took a 49-46 lead.

With four minutes and change on the clock, and still trailing by three, Butler's Zach Hahn buried a triple from the right wing to tie the game up at 59. A couple possessions later, Tony Bennett (12 points) knocked down a jumper to give the Braves the lead for good. Bradley converted their free throws down the stretch to upset the top seed 70-66.

Player of the game: Patrick O'Bryant (18 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK)

Winning percentage of 501 simulations: '06 Bradley, 57.9 percent-'11 Butler, 42.1 percent

Bradley vs. Oakland
Free Pick: Oakland +3.5 (-110)
Mon March 23rd 2009 8:00p - Click here for NCAA odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NCAA basketball betting picks from Rocketman Sports

Oakland comes in with a 23-12 record this year while Bradley is 19-14 on the season. Oakland is 5-1 ATS since 1997 and 4-0 ATS last 3 years when playing in March. Seems they step it up a notch at the end of the season. Oakland is 5-1 ATS since 1997 when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games.

Golden Grizzlies are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Golden Grizzlies are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Golden Grizzlies are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games following a SU win. Golden Grizzlies are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six road games. Golden Grizzlies are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Golden Grizzlies are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Golden Grizzlies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six non-conference games. Braves are 1-4 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Braves are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Braves are 1-5 ATS in their last six non-conference games. Braves are 0-4 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a winning SU record. We’ll recommend a small play on Oakland tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky

Bradley (13-11, 7-6) at Creighton (19-6, 9-4)

Line: Creighton -11.5

Coming off of a defeat to Drake 68-54 on Saturday, the Braves can’t afford too many more slip ups or they will find themselves in the lower half of the Missouri Valley Conference. A victory against Creighton and they would be within a game of second place.

Creighton is flying high after their 77-71 victory over league leading Northern Iowa on Sunday. The Blue Jays sit alone in second place, but have three teams within two games of their perch. Creighton won the first match up with Bradley by nine points and would love to get the season sweep.

ATS-

Bradley is 11-9 against the spread including 5-5 on the road

Creighton is 13-8 against the spread including 8-3 at home.

See the rest of the article including Dave's free prediction at cbbplace.com

 

Northern Iowa (16-6, 10-1) at Bradley (13-9, 7-4)

Line: Bradley -2

Northern Iowa is coming off a less than impressive four-point victory against Indiana State. You can be sure the rest of the league will be watching film to see how Indiana State was able to cause so much trouble for the Panthers. Northern Iowa has won three out of its last four games by five points or less, one of those being at home against Bradley back on the 21st.

Bradley fell out of second place in the conference with a 65-69 defeat at Illinois State. No disgrace in losing to the Redbirds on the road. Winners of their last two home games, the Braves will need improved shooting to get it done against the league leader.

ATS

Northern Iowa is 9-9 ATS, including 5-5 on the road.

Bradley is 11-7 ATS, including 6-3 at home.

Bradley is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 matchups against Northern Iowa.

Northern Iowa has been just good enough to get by lately. That may work against Indiana State, but Bradley should be able to close the deal. The Panthers are due another conference hiccup, and this may be the spot.

Dave’s Pick: Bradley -2

See all of Dave's College Basketball Picks Against the Spread at cbbplace.com.

Bradley (13-8, 7-3) at Illinois State (17-4, 6-4)

Line: Illinois State -9

Bradley enters a crucial 2 game stretch starting Saturday on the road against 3^rd place Illinois State. If the Braves can navigate past the Red Birds, they would be in position to at least come within a game of Northern Iowa when they host the Panthers on Tuesday. The remaining schedule after Northern Iowa is not a particularly difficult one for the Braves. Bradley has won their last two games, but both came at home against lesser teams (Indiana State and Wichita State).

Illinois State also has their eyes on the league title, but faces a tougher climb down three games. If they fall just short, they will think back to the 4 point loss suffered Wednesday at Northern Iowa. The Red Birds made just two free throws and were not able to hold onto a halftime lead.

ATS-

Bradley is 10-7 ATS including 4-4 on the road

Bradley is 8-2 ATS against Illinois State in their last 10 match ups

Illinois State is 9-8 ATS including 6-3 at home

Illinois State has had great success at home this season, but Bradley has been just as good on the road. The Braves are 3-2 straight up on the road in the Missouri Valley, and their two losses were by a combined 11 points. I like Bradley to cover here and contend for an outright victory.

Dave’s pick: Bradley +9

See all of Dave's College Basketball Picks Against the Spread at cbbplace.com