Basketball Hall of Fame

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 remained the last unbeaten Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champion (16-0) until 2013-14. 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 Les was named the MVC Player of the Year and Hawkins was second in scoring.

Bradley’s season included a 22-game winning streak, which 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 No. 20 UTEP, 83-65, for their first NCAA Tournament win since 1955 before falling to eventual national champion Louisville in the second round.

Pictured:

Picture left to right: Anthony Manuel, Jim Les, Hersey Hawkins, Donald Powell, Trevor Trimpe, Keith Berry, Jerry Thomas, Mike Williams, Bruce Mordini, Greg Jones, Paul Wilson, Len Bertolini, Jeff Anthony.

Not pictured: Head coach: Dick Versace. Assistant coaches: Rudy Keeling, Tom Massimino and Willie Cox. Team managers: Larry O'Reilly, Parris Carter, Tim Sack and Rich Draegger.