Milwaukee faces Bradley at the Klotsche

Bradley Braves (5-3) vs. Milwaukee Panthers (8-2)
Location: Klotsche Center – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 3:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: TV: HLN (HorizonLeague.com); Radio: WISN-AM1130

Milwaukee has had an incredible start to the season, and they will try to extend their winning streak to five games as they matchup against the Bradley Braves at the Klotsche Center Saturday afternoon.

With a win the Panthers will equal their best start since 2002-2003 when they started that season 9-2, as they eventually made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

This will only be the fifth meeting between these two teams, as the last time these two teams squared off was in 2008 when the Panthers won 86-74 in Milwaukee.

Bradley comes into play 0-2 away from home, and will enter play on a one game-losing streak. The Braves have been blown out in losses against Arizona State and Illinois, and lost by six in their last game at home to IUPUI.

The Braves have three players averaging in double figures, but Milwaukee will need to focus on forward Tyshon Pickett who leads Bradley in rebounding (7.3) and is second in scoring (14.4).

Their offense as a whole averages 70.9 points per game while holding their opponents to 66.9 points per game, and shooting 46 percent from the field. A major weakness for the Braves has been their three-point shooting, as they only make 29.4 percentage of their shots from long range.

Joining Pickett in the starting lineup will be guards Walt Lemon Jr., Omari Grier, and forwards Austin Barnes and Chris Blake.

Milwaukee will counter with their usual and highly successful lineup featuring guards Steve McWhorter and Jordan Aaron, and forwards Austin Arians, Matt Tiby and Kyle Kelm.

Bradley has been a decent team this season, but has struggled against better competition. Milwaukee will have all the advantage entering this game as they are playing at home and have been playing great basketball to begin this season. While Bradley does do something’s well offensively, being unable to make shots from three-point range consistently will hurt them.

Although no game is easy in basketball, Milwaukee should win this game as long as they play smart, team basketball.