The Bradley Braves men's basketball program has unveiled its ambitious non-conference slate for the 2026-27 season, promising a demanding series of matchups. This challenging schedule notably features five contests against teams projected to achieve Quad 1 or Quad 2 status in the NCAA's NET rankings, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the team's standing for potential NCAA Tournament consideration. Coach Brian Wardle's squad is set to face a diverse array of opponents, including a home-and-home series with Pacific and a much-anticipated game against Green Bay, Wardle's former team. This lineup reflects a deliberate effort to test the Braves early in the season and prepare them for the rigors of conference play.
A notable aspect of the schedule is the inclusion of a unique two-game series against Pacific, with both contests taking place within the same season. According to Coach Wardle, this arrangement emerged from both teams' difficulties in securing quality non-conference opponents, highlighting a growing trend in Division I basketball where programs are increasingly opting for such series. The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) mandates its member teams to schedule a minimum of four Quad 1 or Quad 2 opponents in their non-conference play to elevate the league's profile for NCAA Tournament bids, and the Pacific series significantly contributes to Bradley meeting this requirement. This strategic scheduling underscores the evolving landscape of collegiate basketball, where teams are adapting to new metrics and partnership models to enhance their competitive standing.
The Braves' non-conference journey kicks off with two exhibition games, first against St. Louis on October 23rd, followed by a home game against SIUE on October 28th. The regular season then commences with a home game against Monmouth College on November 2nd, which will feature several local talents. A significant early test comes on November 7th, when Pacific visits Bradley, a team that concluded last season with an 18-15 record and a NET ranking of 114. The Braves will then travel to North Carolina on November 10th to face Davidson, an Atlantic-10 team that boasted a 20-14 record and an NIT appearance last season. These early matchups will provide a crucial barometer for the team's capabilities and offer insights into their potential for the upcoming season.
Further into November, the Braves will participate in 'The Showdown in St. Pete,' an invitational event held at the McArthur Center on Eckerd College's campus. This event will see Bradley compete against Coppin State on November 12th, followed by a game against George Mason on November 14th. George Mason, with a NET ranking of 94 and a 22-10 record in the Atlantic-10 last season, represents another formidable challenge. The team will also host Purdue-Fort Wayne on November 18th before traveling to Stockton, California, for the return game against Pacific on November 21st, completing their unique home-and-home series. These games, as Wardle notes, are perceived as 'dangerous' given the caliber of the opposition and will undoubtedly shape the team's early identity.
As the calendar turns to December, the Braves will continue their demanding schedule. Chicago State, coming off a 7-25 season in the NEC, will visit Peoria on November 28th. Following this, Loras College, a team that made it to the NCAA Division III tournament after a 20-8 season, will play at Bradley on December 1st. A road trip to Denton, Texas, on December 4th will pit the Braves against former Missouri Valley Conference foe North Texas, who finished last season with a 19-14 record and a NET ranking of 135. The non-conference schedule culminates with an eagerly anticipated home game against Green Bay on December 8th, marking Brian Wardle's first regular-season face-off against his former program. This comprehensive schedule reflects a concerted effort to prepare the Bradley Braves for a competitive season and to improve their NCAA Tournament prospects.
The newly released non-conference schedule for the Bradley Braves' 2026-27 men's basketball season is designed to be rigorous, featuring multiple games against highly-rated opponents to boost the team's NCAA NET ranking. The strategic inclusion of a home-and-home series with Pacific within the same season, alongside matchups against teams like Davidson, George Mason, and Green Bay, underscores the program's commitment to challenging itself and meeting conference requirements for NCAA Tournament consideration. This early test of skill and resilience will be pivotal in shaping the Braves' season trajectory.
