Bradley vs Northern Illinois

Overview

The Bradley Braves are set to host the Northern Illinois Huskies in a non-conference men's basketball matchup on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM CST. The game will take place at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois. This in-state rivalry is significant for both teams as they prepare for their respective conference schedules. Bradley enters the game with a 5-4 record, while Northern Illinois stands at 3-5. (bradleybraves.com)

Season Snapshot

Bradley Braves

The Braves have had a challenging start to the season, holding a 5-4 record. They've faced a tough non-conference schedule, with opponents boasting a combined record of 23-8. Bradley has shown resilience, especially in their recent 64-60 victory over Washington State, where Demarion Burch led the team with 23 points. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)

Northern Illinois Huskies

The Huskies have struggled to find consistency, currently at 3-5. Their recent performance includes a 99-64 loss to Lindenwood, where Makhai Valentine led with 17 points. Northern Illinois is looking to bounce back and gain momentum before transitioning to the Horizon League in July 2026. (niuhuskies.com)

Recent Form

Bradley Braves

The Braves have shown improvement, winning two consecutive games. Their defense has been a highlight, limiting opponents to an average of 69.8 points per game. Jaquan Johnson has been a standout, leading the team with 17.9 points per game and 3.4 steals per game. (bradleybraves.com)

Northern Illinois Huskies

The Huskies have faced challenges, losing their last two games. Their defense has been a concern, allowing an average of 79.3 points per game. Makhai Valentine has been a consistent performer, averaging 12.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. (niuhuskies.com)

Talking Points

• Bradley's Defensive Prowess: Can the Braves' defense continue to stifle opponents and maintain their winning streak?

• Northern Illinois' Offensive Strategy: How will the Huskies adjust their offense to overcome recent scoring struggles?

• Jaquan Johnson's Impact: Will Johnson's leadership and scoring ability be enough to secure a win for Bradley?

• Makhai Valentine's Role: Can Valentine carry the Huskies with another strong performance?

• Home Court Advantage: How significant will Carver Arena's atmosphere be in influencing the game's outcome?

Players to Watch

• Jaquan Johnson (Bradley): Leading the team with 17.9 points and 3.4 steals per game, Johnson's defensive prowess is crucial. (bradleybraves.com)

• Demarion Burch (Bradley): After back-to-back career-high scoring games, Burch's offensive contributions are vital. (bradleybraves.com)

• Makhai Valentine (Northern Illinois): The Huskies' leading scorer with 12.3 points per game, Valentine is central to their offensive efforts. (niuhuskies.com)

• Alex Huibregtse (Bradley): Averaging 11 points per game with a 39.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, Huibregtse's perimeter shooting is a key asset. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)

• AJ Smith (Bradley): Contributing significantly on defense with 18 steals, Smith's presence is felt on both ends of the court. (bradleybraves.com)

Key Matchups & Storylines

• Bradley's Defense vs. Northern Illinois' Offense: The Braves' strong defensive unit will face the Huskies' offense, which has struggled recently. How will this clash influence the game's tempo and scoring?

• Jaquan Johnson vs. Makhai Valentine: A head-to-head battle between two of the game's top scorers. Their performances could be pivotal in determining the winner.

• Bradley's Home Court Advantage: Playing at Carver Arena, the Braves have the support of their home crowd. Will this provide the extra boost needed to secure a victory?

Fun Facts

• All-Time Series: Bradley leads the series 10-1, having won the last 10 meetings against Northern Illinois. (bradleybraves.com)

• Conference Transitions: This is Northern Illinois' final season in the MAC before moving to the Horizon League for all sports except football, which will compete in the Mountain West Conference. (bradleybraves.com)

• Bradley's Recent Success: The Braves have clinched the #2 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, marking their best regular-season performance since the 1985-86 season. (bradleybraves.com)

Things to Chirp About

• "Can Bradley's defense continue to dominate and extend their winning streak?"

• "Will Northern Illinois find their offensive rhythm after recent struggles?"

• "How crucial will Jaquan Johnson's performance be for the Braves tonight?"

• "Can Makhai Valentine lead the Huskies to an upset on the road?"

Prediction

While both teams have their strengths, Bradley's home-court advantage and strong defensive play give them the edge in this matchup. If the Braves can contain Makhai Valentine and capitalize on their scoring opportunities, they are likely to secure a victory.