Bradley opens its 2026-27 season at home Monday against Monmouth College, marking the programs’ first matchup since 1959. The Braves are coming off a 21-13 season and bring 10 newcomers into a roster with five returning players.

By the Numbers
  • Tipoff: Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at Carver Arena in Peoria.
  • Bradley leads the all-time series, 16-3.
  • The Braves went 21-13 overall and 13-7 in Missouri Valley Conference play last season.
  • Monmouth went 20-7 overall and 14-2 in conference play; Zay Brown averaged 19.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Yes, But

Monmouth is a Division III program, so this opener is not a measure of Bradley’s performance against its tougher Division I competition. The Braves’ schedule includes five Quad 1 or Quad 2 opportunities, including road games at Pacific, North Texas and Davidson.

What's Next

Bradley begins its regular season Monday, while Monmouth’s trip to Peoria is an exhibition ahead of its regular-season opener against Blackburn College.

Bottom Line

Bradley starts the season with a home game against a successful regional opponent, then faces a schedule built to test its revamped roster.