Bradley Braves Face Illinois State in Rematch

Braves look to avenge earlier loss as teams battle for Missouri Valley Conference position

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Bradley Braves basketball team will host the Illinois State Redbirds in a key Missouri Valley Conference matchup. The Braves are seeking redemption after falling to the Redbirds in their previous meeting in January.

Why it matters

This game has major implications for the standings in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference, as both teams look to improve their position for the conference tournament.

The details

In the teams' first matchup in January, the Braves were unable to slow down the Redbirds' offense, leading to a loss for Bradley. The Braves will be looking to make adjustments and play better defense in the rematch as they try to even the season series.

  • The game will take place on February 21, 2026.
  • The teams previously met on January 15, 2026, with Illinois State defeating Bradley.

The players

Bradley Braves

The Bradley Braves are the athletic teams of Bradley University, a private university located in Peoria, Illinois.

Illinois State Redbirds

The Illinois State Redbirds are the athletic teams of Illinois State University, a public university located in Normal, Illinois.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's no nights off. We knew coming in that it was going to be a war, and the way we started was just not good enough.”

— Dave Eminian, Journal Star senior sports writer and columnist (Journal Star)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a higher seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

The takeaway

This rematch between the Bradley Braves and Illinois State Redbirds is a crucial game for both teams as they jockey for position in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference standings.