Scott Rickenbach

3/25/2009
8:05:00 PM BRADLEY BRAVES(-5)
over Pacific Tigers

March Madness 2* (Top Play)
Bradley Braves (-) vs Pacific @ 8:05 PM ET

– The scheduling situation here favors the Braves in a huge way. Both teams were in action on Monday and both teams were at home. Bradley defeated Oakland on an amazing last second 75-foot bank-shot while Pacific defeated Idaho by a ten point margin. A big key here with regards to scheduling is that, yesterday, the Braves were able to stay at home and prepare for this game. As for the Tigers, it was an entirely different story! Pacific left Stockton, California for the airport in San Jose at 4:30 in the morning. They then caught a plane trip that included a stop in Denver before arriving in Chicago. Finally, after a bus ride from Chicago to Peoria, Illinois, the Tigers arrived at about 8 in the evening yesterday for tonight’s game. Of course, Pacific coach Bob Thomason was less than thrilled with the travel arrangements. He was quoted as saying that he couldn’t recall the last time his team had not been able to work out the day before a game! Of course, this puts the Tigers at a big disadvantage here. Pacific also played a weaker regular season schedule than did the Braves. The Tigers also rely heavily on three pointers. The concern there is that they haven’t shot them well so far in this CollegeInsider Tournament and, also, they’re now on the road. Bradley is known to knock down their shots with solid regularity when they’re at home in the Carver Arena. The Braves also got a boost with the return of Dodie Dunson to his usual playing time (and usual production!) against Oakland on Monday. While it did take a “miracle” for the Braves to get that win against Oakland don’t let that scare you. That just gives Bradley even more momentum for this game. They have the luxury of staying at home, the whole campus is still buzzing about the huge game-winning shot, and the Braves will have more edges against Pacific than they had against Oakland. The Tigers are not as big inside as Oakland was in terms of height as well as bulk. This will allow the Braves to do a much better job on the glass and you can bet this is also being preached to them after they allowed the Golden Grizzlies way too many opportunities on the offensive glass. Without having to worry so much about second-chance points, the key here is going to be the perimeter play and that’s where the Braves talented backcourt is capable of taking over in a match-up like this. Dunson, Sam Maniscalco, and Chris Roberts combined to hit 8 of 14 three pointers for the Braves back-court in their thrilling win over Oakland. As noted above, the Braves are capable of “lighting it up” from the perimeter and the Tigers guards will struggle to keep up with the Braves here. We also expect a good crowd for this one and, as other Missouri Valley teams can attest to, the Braves have proven very tough to beat on their home floor. Keep in mind, that’s under normal travel circumstances. As for the Tigers and coming from the West Coast, there is nothing normal about the travel and tight scheduling situation entering this game! We take advantage by laying the short number here! Play Bradley minus the points as a Top Play selection.