GAME NOTES: The 2014-15 season gets underway tonight at Carver Arena, as the Bradley Braves play host to the Texas-Arlington Mavericks.

UT-Arlington starts the 2014-15 campaign in the same conference (Sun Belt) for the first time in three years. The Mavericks moved from their home in the Southland to the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, and then transitioned to the Sun Belt last season. The new league proved to be a challenge, as they finished 15-17 overall.

Meanwhile at Bradley, fourth-year coach Geno Ford has guided the Braves to 30 wins over the past two years, although there is certainly room for improvement from last season's 12-20 record. The Braves have won 16 straight season openers on their home floor.

Bradley owns a 3-1 series lead, although this marks the first meeting between these two teams since 2001.

Offensive success was the key last season for the Mavericks, who ranked third in the Sun Belt in scoring (76.4 ppg). It will be difficult to keep up that pace now that Reger Dowell and his league-leading 20.3 ppg are no longer in Arlington. Also absent is Brandon Edwards (16.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg), who may be even more of a loss considering his fantastic work on the glass. Lonnie McClanahan (14 ppg, 3.5 apg) will take up the mantle of go-to scorer. He is also the top returning player in terms of assists. Jamel Outler (11.2 ppg) should expect a jump in his scoring responsibilities as well.

For Bradley, coach Ford's challenge for this season is finding a way to replace leading scorer Walt Lemon, Jr. (18.0 ppg), as well as top post presence Tyshon Pickett (12.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg). Freshman forward Josh Cunningham should see time early as the nation's No. 88 overall recruit, according to Rivals. Among the returnees, Omari Grier (10.4 ppg) is poised to take a step forward if he can improve his 3-point shooting (.322). Auston Barnes (8.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is also in line for a featured role in half-court sets after starting 31-of-32 games as a junior. However, the senior forward will begin the season on the pine while he serves a three-game suspension.

It may take some time for the Mavericks to find their groove without Dowell, while the Braves face similar challenges in trying to replace two of their top weapons in Lemon and Pickett. Bradley is the pick here, considering 1992 was the last time the team lost an opener in Peoria.