bradley

Most will see the Braves as a Sweet 16 team that proved to the nation how good a Missouri Valley team can be. But there are some that will see Bradley as an inconsistent team that finally met its potential late.

The Braves were widely thought of as the most athletic team in the Missouri Valley Conference, but Bradley struggled to win on the road and at one point in the season had a 13-9 record. Jim Les' job seemed to be in jeopardy.

But a seven-game winning streak got Bradley to the MVC tournament championship game, and then the Braves showed their stuff with NCAA upsets of Kansas and Pittsburgh.

Now Les is the toast of Peoria and the Braves are the talk of the town. How long will it last?

A lot depends on what Patrick O'Bryant decides about his future. The 7-footer was a difference-maker for the Braves when he was able to stay out of foul trouble. After only two seasons at Bradley, though, the NBA scouts are drooling to get their hands on him, which could be too much for him to turn his back on.

Either way, Bradley will face heightened expectations in 2006-07, and it will be Les' job to get the Braves to live up to them.