The Bradley Braves are one of the rare mid-major programs in college basketball that can claim both recent and historic success. As a mid-major, it’s a little easier than people realize to get their hands on cheap Bradley basketball tickets. That being said, the Braves compete in the ultra-competitive Missouri Valley Conference, which means a lot of intense battles during the regular season. More importantly, the Braves are no stranger to the national stage when March rolls around, which keeps last-minute Bradley basketball tickets in high demand all season.

The Fabulous 50s

Much of the credit for Bradley’s athletic prowess belongs to Alfred J. Robertson, who coached the school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams from 1920 to 1948. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s under Forddy Anderson that the Braves made it big on the basketball court. During the 1949-50 season, Anderson led the Braves to a 32-5 record that included the Braves being the runner-up in both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. In 1953, he brought Bradley back to the Final Four for the second time in school history, only for the Braves to once again finish as the runner-up.

Best of the Rest

After Anderson left Bradley, the Braves continued to be a successful program. They officially joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1956, coinciding with longtime assistant Chuck Orsborn becoming the head coach. During his nine seasons, Orsborn led Bradley to its first Missouri Valley championship in 1962 and three NIT titles between 1957 and 1964. Alas, the Braves would have to wait until 1980 to return to the NCAA Tournament under Dick Versace, a drought that lasted 25 years.

21st Century Braves

Since the 21st century, Bradley has experienced both extreme highs and lows. In 2016, the Braves made a magical run to the Sweet 16, their best NCAA Tournament performance since 1955. However, the Braves have also found themselves in the Missouri Valley basement at times, winning just five games during the 2015-16 season, the first under head coach Brian Wardle. However, Wardle has managed to turn things around in a hurry, winning the Missouri Valley Tournament in both 2019 and 2020 to put Bradley back in the Big Dance and back on the national radar.