Indiana State Sycamores (7-4, 0-0) vs. Bradley Braves (7-4, 0-0)
Hulman Center - Terre Haute, IN
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Tip: 7:00PM EST
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[December 18, 2025] Indiana State (7-4) vs Bradley (7-4)
- Thread starter Jason Svoboda
- Start date
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Indiana State Sycamores (7-4, 0-0) vs. Bradley Braves (7-4, 0-0)
Hulman Center - Terre Haute, IN
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Tip: 7:00PM EST
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PD INDY ALUM
The Sycamore Level
Will Ian Scott be ready to play?
I feel like Bradley is one of our first 1-3 valley games every year and Southern is always in the back half of the valley season. Doesn’t matter but it seems to be a trend
For the first time in several years, I watched precisely 0 MVC teams play in their non-con. I have absolutely zero idea how Bradley has been playing.
Same. I'm usually all over the rest of the MVC non-con games, but I just haven't had the time nor the interest this year. Other than watching Bradley's opening loss to St. Bonaventure, I haven't seen them play at all.
Stats say they are pretty much who they were last year, to a lesser degree. A pressuring defensive team that'll turn you over. They shoot a lot of threes but generally off of ISO or high-screen action. The difference between this Bradley team and ones from the past appears to be poor(ish) shooting and their ability to defend the three. They do a good job of running teams off the three line, but if you can get your shot off it's usually open. It says to me that we should be able to run shooters off of screens and get open looks.
This is just a numbers-only look at things though. I have no real idea what to expect from this team.
Bradley has taken a big step back from last year without Duke Deen
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Interesting that other people have hardly watched other non-con games from around the MVC as well. I used to watch a lot of MVC basketball but just don’t have the interest this year like I have in the past. I thought it was just me, but it appears others are falling into that category as well
Team Stats Comparison (2025-26 – Through ~11 Games)
| Category | Bradley Braves | Indiana State Sycamores |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 7–4 overall (0-0 MVC) | 7–4 overall (0-0 MVC) |
| Points Per Game (Offense) | ~76.3 PPG | ~75.9 PPG |
| Points Allowed Per Game (Defense) | ~66.9 PPG | ~69.1 PPG |
| Field Goal % | ~44.5% | ~45.3% |
| Three-Point % | ~33.9% | ~29.3% |
| Free Throw % | ~72.3% | ~74.6% |
| Rebounds Per Game | ~32.5 RPG | ~47.0 RPG |
| Scoring Margin | +9.4 PPG | +6.8 PPG |
Indiana State Sycamores — Top Contributors
(Based on ESPN cumulative team stats) ESPN.com
Leading Players & Averages| Player | PPG (Points Per Game) | RPG (Rebounds) | APG (Assists) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Scott (F) | ~13.6 | ~7.9 | ~2.7 |
| Camp Wagner (G) | ~10.5 | ~1.4 | ~1.5 |
| Sterling Young (G) | ~8.2 | ~2.1 | ~5.4 |
| Xavier Hall (G) | ~7.8 | ~3.5 | ~1.0 |
| Caden Huttenlocker (G) | ~15.2* | ~4.9 | ~2.4 |
| Sivert Nordheim (G) | ~15.3* | ~5.1 | ~5.6 |
Bradley Braves — Top Contributors
(2025-26 stats from ESPN & CBS Sports) ESPN.com+1 Leading Players & Averages| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaquan Johnson (G) | ~18.3 | ~4.5 | ~3.3 | Team’s top scorer & high-energy guard. ESPN.com |
| Alex Huibregtse (G) | ~11.5 | ~3.2 | ~1.5 | Secondary scoring option, steady shooter. CBS Sports |
| Demarion Burch (G) | ~10.4 | ~2.7 | ~1.0 | Multi-faceted perimeter scorer. CBS Sports |
| AJ Smith (F) | ~8.9 | ~5.5 | ~1.3 | Key forward rebounder and inside presence. CBS Sports |
| Montana Wheeler (G) | — | — | ~3.5 | Team’s assist leader. CBS Sports |
| Ahmet Jonovic (C) | — | ~4.1 | ~1.4 | Rim protector and interior contributor. CBS Sports |
Key Notes on Bradle
- Jaquan Johnson is Bradley’s most consistent offensive force, leading in points and steals. ESPN.com
- Montana Wheeler runs the offense as the primary distributor. CBS Sports
- The Braves have multiple double-digit scorers, which helps balance their attack. CBS Sports
- AJ Smith anchors rebounding and adds physicality inside. CBS Sports
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Battle: Interior scoring & rebounding
- Scott: ISU’s most reliable scorer/rebounder, thrives on second-chance points.
- Smith: Bradley’s physical forward, strong defender and glass cleaner.
Edge: Slight Indiana State offensively X-Factor: If Scott stays out of foul trouble, ISU can control the paint.
Battle: Shot creation & tempo
- Johnson: Bradley’s go-to scorer (~18 PPG), dangerous in transition and late-clock situations.
- Indiana State struggles at times containing elite guards.
Edge: Bradley X-Factor: If Johnson gets downhill early, Bradley dictates pace.
Battle: Playmaking & ball control
- Young: ISU’s primary facilitator, key to keeping offense flowing.
- Wheeler: Bradley’s engine, assist leader and tempo controller.
Edge: Bradley (experience & decision-making) X-Factor: Turnovers — whichever guard protects the ball wins this matchup.
TEAM-LEVEL X-FACTORS
Indiana State’s Path to Winning
Win the rebounding battle (Scott + team effort) Limit Bradley’s 3-point looks Shoot efficiently inside the arc
Avoid cold shooting stretches from deep If Indiana State keeps this game in the half-court and wins the paint, they can absolutely pull the upset at home. Bradley’s Path to Winning
Let Johnson attack early Spread the floor with better 3-point shooting Force Indiana State into late-clock shots Avoid foul trouble inside Bradley is at its best when Johnson scores early and Wheeler controls tempo.Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
Based on Scott playing
ChargeOnToTheHilltop
The Recruit Level
Hey Sycamore fans, I'm back!
I just ran down my second preview of the trees after watching the Milwaukee game. Check it out! https://bubraves2006.substack.com/p/second-chance-points-indiana-state
I plan on doing a full preview, but since some of you haven't been watching the Braves much, I'll toss over a few points:
I just ran down my second preview of the trees after watching the Milwaukee game. Check it out! https://bubraves2006.substack.com/p/second-chance-points-indiana-state
I plan on doing a full preview, but since some of you haven't been watching the Braves much, I'll toss over a few points:
- Jaquan Johnson has arguably had the best season to date of any player in the Valley - he's just impossible to guard going to the basket and he's tied for 1st in the country in steals per game (6.0). He's gotten way better beyond the arc and is the engine that makes the Braves go.
- The Braves are incredibly inconsistent from three - some nights they can't miss and then other games the entire team can't hit anything. This has led to an erratic season.
- It's true the Braves don't rebound well, but neither do the Sycamores, so I don't really think that's a huge factor.
- Stylistically, both teams are really similar
- A lot of 4 out, 1 in sets.
- Vorst v. Jonovic are similar players and I'm curious to watch that matchup.
- Huibregtse is a lot like Camp Wagner, just shooting a much higher percentage, but otherwise similar players.
- AJ Smith and Scott are similar builds and another matchup I'd watch - obviously Scott is the better player to this point, but Smith may be able to slow him down some.
- Turnovers will be huge - Bradley is elite at both not turning it over and also turning over other teams. If the Sycamores can take care of the ball (their turnover percentage is 262nd in the country), it bodes better for their chances to win.
- The Braves don't drop off when freshman Montana Wheeler comes in - he looks like a junior or senior out there - doesn't turn the ball over and can run the offense well with Johnson or without him - reminds me a little bit of Hall when he plays with Van Buggenhout in that respect.
Same... I haven't been watching the Valley for years. Welcome to the club!
I probably haven't watched MVC basketball outside of Arch Madness in at least three years. I haven't even watched us play this season yet, although I am considering going to this game since two 7-4 teams going at it kind of interests me a bit. I just looked at Bradley's schedule and it looks about as unimpressive as ours. I guess they beat Washington State, but have they ever been good? I don't really know anything about Washington State other than they were one of two Pac 12 schools who were apparently too pathetic to get bailed out by any other Power league, so I guess that makes them a mid major now also.
Funny. I've tried to watch more of them because I thought everyone else was.
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We haven't had time for that! We've all been watching multi-bid league football!
Disagree, but give you credit for the creative post & meme. I chuckled. Well doneWe haven't had time for that! We've all been watching multi-bid league football!
View attachment 3405
Humor works well when one lacks a logical argument
DyedBlue
The All-MVC Level
Wait a minute.
Everyone writes on this board that only the MVC Tournament Post-Season Play means anything. Non-Conference and Conference play doesn't translate into an NCAA Bid no matter how good it may be.
Now MVFC football started with six teams in the FCS Playoffs, and those games have been televised for the past several weeks, so LOGICALLY, if one is to be watching TV and ONLY post-season competition matters, one should be watching MVFC Football ahead of any other option.
Everyone writes on this board that only the MVC Tournament Post-Season Play means anything. Non-Conference and Conference play doesn't translate into an NCAA Bid no matter how good it may be.
Now MVFC football started with six teams in the FCS Playoffs, and those games have been televised for the past several weeks, so LOGICALLY, if one is to be watching TV and ONLY post-season competition matters, one should be watching MVFC Football ahead of any other option.
