1979–80 Bradley Braves men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 1979–80 Bradley Braves Basketball 150 Missouri Valley Conference MVC 23–10 13–3 Dick Versace 2nd Robertson Memorial Field House MVC Regular season and tournament champions NCAA tournament First round The 1979–80 Bradley Braves men's basketball team represented Bradley University during the 1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Braves were members of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and played their home games at Robertson Memorial Field House in Peoria, Illinois. The team was led by head coach Dick Versace and finished the season at 23–10 (13–3 MVC). After finishing atop the Missouri Valley regular season standings by a 4-game margin, Bradley won the MVC tournament. The Braves earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as No. 11 seed in the Midwest region the school's first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 25 years. The Braves fell to No. 6 seed Texas A&M, 55–53, in the opening round. Roster 1979 Bradley Braves y yes J. J. Anderson y F 6 8 190 So Chicago, IL Metro David Thirdkill y F 6 7 190 So St. Louis, MO College of Southern Idaho https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/bradley/1980.html Dick Versace 1979-80 Men's Basketball Roster https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/1979 Bradley University Athletics May 7, 2023 Schedule 1979-80 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings 1979 yes yes |- !colspan=9 style=Bradley Braves| Regular season Nov 30, 1979 yes yes Kentucky 2 Buckner Fieldhouse Anchorage, Alaska Great Alaska Shootout 58–79 0–1 Dec 1, 1979 yes yes 1979 men Pacific Tigers Pacific Buckner Fieldhouse Anchorage, Alaska Great Alaska Shootout 80–68 1–1 Dec 2, 1979 yes yes Lamar Buckner Fieldhouse Anchorage, Alaska Great Alaska Shootout 82–75 2–1 Dec 5, 1979 yes yes 1979 men Loyola Ramblers Loyola (IL) Alumni Gym Chicago, Illinois 80–83 2–2 Dec 8, 1979 yes yes 1979 men Butler Bulldogs Butler Hinkle Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana 63–65 2–3 Dec 12, 1979 yes 1979 men Portland State Vikings Portland State Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 90–65 3–3 Dec 15, 1979 yes 1979 men Rollins Tars Rollins Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 78–60 4–3 Dec 17, 1979 yes 1979 men Quincy Hawks Quincy Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 77–67 5–3 Dec 21, 1979 yes yes Loyola (IL) Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston, Illinois 76–84 5–4 Dec 22, 1979 yes yes 1979 men Northwestern Wildcats Northwestern Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston, Illinois 64–67 5–5 Dec 29, 1979 yes yes DePaul 4 Alumni Hall Chicago, Illinois 61–68 5–6 Jan 3, 1980 yes Illinois State Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 62–57 6–6 Jan 5, 1980 yes 1979 men Texas–Arlington Texas–Arlington Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 79–68 7–6 Jan 7, 1980 1979 men New Mexico State Aggies New Mexico State Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 71–60 8–6 1–0 Jan 10, 1980 1979 men Wichita State Shockers Wichita State Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois 67–66 9–6 2–0 Jan 12, 1980 yes 1979 men Drake Bulldogs Drake Veterans Memorial Auditorium Des Moines, Iowa 75–70 10–6 3–0 Jan 17, 1980 yes 1979 men West Texas A&M Buffaloes West Texas A&M WT Fieldhouse Canyon, Texas 78–79 10–7 3–1 Feb 18, 1980 yes 1979 men Creighton Bluejays Creighton Omaha Civic Auditorium Omaha, Nebraska 76–75 20–8 13–2 Feb 23, 1980 yes New Mexico State Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico 89–90 20–9 13–3 |- !colspan=12 style=Bradley Braves| MVC Tournament Feb 28, 1980 yes Tulsa Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois Quarterfinals 97–76 21–9 Feb 29, 1980 yes Wichita State Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois Semifinals 68–60 22–9 Mar 1, 1980 yes West Texas A&M Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, Illinois Championship game 62–59 23–9 |- !colspan=12 style=Bradley Braves| NCAA Tournament Mar 7, 1980 yes yes 11 MW Texas A&M 6 MW UNT Coliseum Denton, Texas First round 53–55 23–10 AP Poll Central Time MW Midwest Source:1979-80 Men's Basketball Schedule https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/1979 Bradley University Athletics May 7, 2023 Awards and honors Dick Versace – MVC Coach of the Year References Category:Bradley Braves men's basketball seasons Bradley Bradley Bradley Braves men's basketball Bradley Braves men's basketball