Valparaiso Beacons vs Bradley Braves Picks and Predictions for Friday March 6 2026
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The Valparaiso Beacons and Bradley Braves meet in the MVC Tournament Quarterfinal on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Valparaiso advanced to this round after a narrow first-round victory, while Bradley earned a bye following a strong regular season in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bradley is favored by 2.5 points with a total of 141.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting insights and daily predictions.
Valparaiso Carries First-Round Momentum into Quarterfinal
The Valparaiso Beacons enter the quarterfinal with an 18-14 overall record and an 11-9 MVC conference record. The Beacons advanced with a 63-62 victory over Indiana State in the first round of the MVC Tournament. In their recent stretch of games, Valparaiso has recently won over Indiana State, Drake, UIC, and Bradley while recently losing to Evansville.
Valparaiso averages 71.9 points per game while allowing 70.9 points per contest this season. The Beacons shoot 42% from the field and average 36.1 rebounds per game, while distributing 11.9 assists per contest. Defensively, Valparaiso contributes 3.5 blocks and 5.8 steals per game, indicating a team that relies on physical defense and rebounding to remain competitive in close games.
In the opening-round win over Indiana State, Rakim Chaney led the Beacons with 18 points and added 5 assists, helping stabilize the offense in a tightly contested game. JT Pettigrew controlled the boards with 7 rebounds, providing key second-chance opportunities as Valparaiso rallied late to secure the one-point victory. The Beacons will now deal with a short turnaround, making their defensive intensity and rebounding effort crucial against a Bradley team that thrives offensively.
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Bradley Braves Ready After Bye Week Advantage
The Bradley Braves enter the MVC Tournament Quarterfinal with a 20-11 overall record and a 13-7 conference record, earning a first-round bye thanks to their strong regular-season performance. In recent action, Bradley has recently won over Murray State, Illinois State, and Southern Illinois while recently losing to UIC and Valparaiso.
Bradley has been one of the stronger offensive teams in the MVC this season, averaging 77.5 points per game while allowing 73.1 points per contest. The Braves shoot 44% from the field and average 34.6 rebounds per game, while producing 13.2 assists per contest. Defensively, Bradley generates 7.9 steals and 3.2 blocks per game, showing an ability to pressure opponents and create transition scoring opportunities.
In their most recent game, an 87-78 victory over Murray State, Alex Huibregtse led the Braves with 21 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Ahmet Jonovic led the team with 9 rebounds, helping Bradley win the rebounding battle and maintain offensive possessions. With the added rest from the bye and strong offensive efficiency in their last game, Bradley enters this matchup well positioned for tournament play.
Valparaiso Beacons vs Bradley Braves Pick
Valparaiso Beacons vs Bradley Braves Spread Pick
- Pick: Bradley Braves -2.5
Bradley enters this matchup with the advantage of rest and one of the most efficient offenses in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves have proven they can score consistently and control the pace of games, while Valparaiso is coming off an emotional one-point win and must quickly regroup. Bradley’s ability to score in multiple ways and rebound effectively gives them the edge, particularly in the second half when depth and fresher legs often become decisive in tournament play.
Valparaiso Beacons vs Bradley Braves Total Pick
- Pick: Over 141.5
I like the over in this matchup because Bradley’s offense has shown the ability to push games into higher-scoring territory, especially when their shooters find rhythm early. Valparaiso also plays competitive games that tend to stay close, which can lead to late free throws and additional scoring opportunities. With both teams capable of contributing offensively and tournament pressure encouraging aggressive play, I expect the total to creep over the number.
Final Score Prediction: Bradley Braves 76, Valparaiso Beacons 72
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