CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When Belmont cut the Virginia lead to two with 4:37 remaining, Craig Bradshaw was talking. He did a lot of that against the Cavaliers, and for good reason. The junior had 25 points against one of the nation’s best defenses, and the No. 15 seed Bruins were right there punch for punch late into the game before ultimately falling, 79-67.
Bradshaw’s confidence ran so deep on Friday, he even called bank on a made three just a few seconds prior to the shot that cut the Cavs’ lead to one possession.
Lauren Brownlow of Fox Sports Carolinas asked Bradshaw about the called bank shot after the game.
“I did call bank. I do it a lot in practice, kind of joking around. But tonight, that felt like that was the better choice than just swishing it.
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“When the crowd gets going, I get going. So it kind of helps me to stay engaged like that,” Bradshaw said. “I was kind of back and forth with Grant Hill of a little bit, just kind of messing around. I don’t know. Just basketball players being basketball players.”
The Virginia players weren’t about to hate on Bradshaw for his big game. Instead, they tipped their cap to the performance. Justin Anderson, one of the Cavaliers’ veteran leaders who bounced back after a tough ACC Tournament with 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting, had nothing but good things to say about the individual effort.
“He’s a tough player,” Justin Anderson said of Bradshaw. “His confidence and his swagger is tremendous. I really like him. I like how confident he is. You have to be that way when you’re going into the tournament because it’s do-or-die. Win or go home. I loved his heart and his passion for the game. I’m not the type that’s going to criticize and say he was showboating. That’s not showboating. He just wanted it for his team. He played as hard as he can. He gave it everything he got, and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Showboating or not, that’s what the tournament is for, and it’s always great seeing a mid-major showing his stuff on the biggest stage in college basketball. Belmont has had a great shooting offense for quite a few years now under Rick Byrd, and the Bruins have made the tournament seven times under Byrd’s tenure.
Bradshaw earned the ability to talk a little bit, even if his team ultimately went down. At least he wasn’t out there guaranteeing a win before the game even started.
