Preseason conference favorites Bradley and Princeton help wrap up MBI opening round

CONWAY, S.C. (November 18, 2024) – Thursday’s second Myrtle Beach Invitational opening round session features four teams – including two preseason conference favorites – that will arrive in town with no losing records and a combined mark of 12-6.

Thursday’s evening action begins at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with Bradley (3-1) taking on Texas State (2-2). Bradley has played well in Peoria so far this season, posting double-digit victories in each of its three home games against Southeast Missouri State (88-60), Texas-San Antonio (85-72), and Northern Illinois (76-60). The Braves’ only setback occurred on their lengthy trip to Washington State (91-74).

Bradley’s balanced scoring attack has six players averaging between 14 and 9 points each, led by forward Darius Hannah with 13.8 ppg. And that group does not even include 7-foot-1 center Ahmet Jonovic, averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds per game coming off the bench.

“Our player leadership has been really good,” said Bradley coach Brian Wardle, whose team was the preseason pick to win the Missouri Valley Conference. “We still have much to improve, but we’re getting there.”

Texas State jumped out to a strong start this season, defeating Eastern Michigan 64-44 in the opener. It was the Bobcats’ second-largest victory in a season-opener against a Division I opponent. The Bobcats beat McMurry by 40 points before suffering hard-fought road losses to TCU (76-71) and Abilene Christian (72-60).

“Winning is tough, and winning on the road is even tougher,” Texas State coach Terrence Johnson said. “But I will take that effort from our guys every night. Now it’s all about the response.”

Sophomore guard Kaden Gumbs is averaging 17 points per game on 53.2 percent shooting, while 6-6 senior Joshua O’Garro contributes 13.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

The MBI opening round concludes with Princeton (4-1) taking on Wright State (3-2). Princeton started the season with three consecutive victories before coming short against Loyola-Chicago, 73-68. The Tigers bounced back with a 68-57 win over Merrimack.

Sophomore guard Dalen Davis has led the way for Princeton, sinking 54.5 percent of his 3-pointers (18-of-33) and averaging 17 points per game. Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce – both first-team All-Ivy League players last season – returned to the team this season and are combining to average more than 30 ppg.

“I’m very thankful that they stayed, and we have the core unit together,” Princeton coach Mitch Henderson said at the team’s preseason media event after the Tigers were named Ivy League favorites with 15 of 16 first-place votes.

Wright State counters with the one-two punch of junior forward Brandon Noel (21.6 ppg and ten rpg) and senior guard Alex Huibregtse (18.8 ppg, 46.7 percent shooting from 3-point range).

The Raiders started the season with the always difficult task of playing the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. Since that setback, however, Wright has won three of four, highlighted by a solid 81-68 victory at Miami (Ohio).

“The win over Miami was a great step forward,” Wright State coach Clint Sargent said. “We’ve made some strides but know we have a long way to go.”

After Thursday’s opening round, the Myrtle Beach Invitational will continue with four more games on Friday and then again on Sunday. The championship game will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday and will be broadcast on ESPN. All 12 MBI games can be seen on ESPN’s family of networks.