Teams

1981-82 Bradley University Men’s Team

Year Inducted: 2000

Category: Teams

Schools / Organizations: Bradley University

Head Coach:  Dick Versace

Team Record: 26-10 (NIT Champions)

Biography: All-American Mitchell “JJ” Anderson and David Thirdkill led the 1981-82 Bradley Braves to their fourth NIT title, a 26-10 record (.722) and a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title. A 13-4 record in their final season in historic Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse included the longest game in NCAA history, a seven-overtime 75-73 loss to Cincinnati, a 55-47 win over second-ranked Wichita State, an NBC regionally televised win over Tulsa to clinch the MVC regular-season title and two NIT wins en route to Madison Square Garden. Bradley rolled to the NIT crown by beating Syracuse 95-81, Oklahoma 84-68 in the semifinals and Purdue 67-58 in the championship. Anderson led the team in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg).

Team Members in the Picture:

Back Row (L to R): Manager Paul McCree, Eddie Harris, Eddie Mathews, Anthony Webster, Mitchell “JJ” Anderson, Donald Reese, David Thirdkill, Pierre Cooper, Kerry Cook, Voise Winters, Barney Mines and Willie Scott.

Front Row (L to R): Manager Parrish Carter, Associate Coach Tony Barone, Assistant Coach Rudy Keeling, Head Coach Dick Versace, Assistant Coach Jay Eck, Manager Eugene Link and Manager Keith Lorick.