Inductees Coached by Dick Versace and led by the dynamic backcourt of Jim Les and Hersey Hawkins, the 1985-86 Braves enjoyed one of the best seasons in Bradley Basketball history. The Braves tied the program record for victories, finishing 32-3 overall, and remain the last unbeaten Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champion (16-0). The 16-0 season tied Indiana State for the league all-time best mark. The Braves also had 6' 8'' senior Mike Williams and 6' 8'' sophomore Donald Powell inside, and 6' 7'' sophomore Trevor Trimpe on the wing. Jerry Thomas, Len Bertolini, Anthony Manuel and Greg Jones provided great production off the bench. Point guard Jim Les was named the MVC Player of the Year and Hawkins was second in scoring.
Bradley enjoyed the longest winning streak in the nation during the 1985-86 season, a 29-game streak that began with a 58-56 win against defending national champion Villanova in the second round of the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. After the streak ended with a 68-62 loss at Tulsa in the championship game of the MVC Tournament, Bradley earned an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the West Regional in Ogden, Utah, the Braves beat #20 UTEP, 83-65, for their first NCAA Tournament win since 1955 before falling to eventual national champion Louisville in the second round.
| Dawdy Hawkins "Dawdy" Hawkins, one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in the nation, directed his teams to state titles in two different states. His Lincoln Northeast High School team won a Nebraska state prep crown in 1948, just before he left to take over at Peoria Central. He quickly forged a powerhouse at Central, his 1952-53 team, led by brilliant center Hiles Stout, making it to the championship game of the Illinois state finals at the University of Illinois' old Huff Gym before bowing to LaGrange, 71-60. Hawkins took three other Peoria Central teams to the state tournament (1954, 56, 59) and then, switching to Pekin, had five other state appearances (1964, 65, 66, 67, 73), including state championship teams in 1964 and 1967. |  |