(logo whooshing) Anybody who knows the game of basketball knows about Peoria, Illinois.

We're a hotbed for hoopers.

Always have been.

This city has produced legends of the game.

And did you know Bradley basketball has one of the oldest programs in the country?

Dating back to 1902.

And the track record speaks for itself.

Two final four runs, four sweet 16 appearances and four NIT titles.

You know, a lot of Braves fans remember when Bradley used to play up on campus at the Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse.

But since 1982 they've been holding court right here at Carver Arena, one of the best venues in college basketball.

Filled with the best fans in the Missouri Valley Conference.

But don't take my word for it.

Check the vibes for yourself.

Run it.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) Hey Mitch, can I ask you a couple questions?

- Yeah, absolutely.

Yes.

- Okay, Mitch, who is your favorite Bradley basketball player of all time?

- Oh gosh, I'd probably have to go back to Hersey Hawkins, but I did grow up in the Anthony Parker area.

Anthony Parker was one of the best of all time.

- Gotta be Anthony Parker.

I love me some Anthony Parker.

He was... What?

nineties, early nineties?

Yeah.

Yeah.

When I saw Anthony Parker, I was like, I gotta play the game myself.

- Anthony Parker, Patrick O'Bryant, Chad Clyde, Marcus Pollard.

- Marcellus Somerville.

(upbeat music) (crowd cheering) - If you were to hit the game winning shot in the NCAA tournament, - Yeah.

show me your game winning celebration.

(game announcer speaking indistinctly) - I would start with a little jiggle like this.

Yeah, and then I would just, just jump in the air, and, yeah, do something else crazy.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - There's no greater vibe than a Bradley basketball game!

Okay Coach, let me ask you this.

What is your favorite Bradley basketball memory?

- Well, my favorite was probably putting on the uniform when I was a sophomore on the varsity.

But no, not really.

It would be the sweet 16.

- [Sports Announcer] His turnovers in the first half.

Franklin.

(sports announcers cheering) A little kiss.

He got it.

- I'd probably have to say that Dion Jackson toss from behind his back basically at Arch Madness back in the 90s.

Historic moment.

They all run around, you know, the court, all celebrating Jim Molinari.

Pretty cool moment for Bradley basketball.

(upbeat music) - [Blake] Why is Peoria a basketball city?

- I mean, if you look at our legacy, I mean we produce nothing but straight ballers from the playgrounds to the NBA and anywhere in between.

And so I think when you're from here, you're born with an automatic 15 foot mid-range jump shot.

And so that's why.

I mean it's just ingrained in us.

- Bradley has always been a strong part of basketball here in Peoria.

- Why is Peoria a basketball city?

- Well, I think it started with Bradley.

I would assume back in the fifties and maybe even before that.

But, and then the high school basketball was so phenomenal here.

I just think the combination of the two.

Had really good coaching in the city and Bradley had great coaches: Chuck Orsborn, Joe Stowell, Versace.

And I just think people recognize that - Basketball and Peoria, it's associated with the cradle of the crossover.

Some of the best point guards of all time have come out of Peoria.

Manuel had the run back in the nineties.

But even long before that, some of the best talent in the country has come out of Peoria, Illinois.

(players speaking indistinctly) (audience cheering) (timer ringing) - That's gonna do it for us from Carver Arena.

The Braves win 73-69.

That's how we do it in Peoria.

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