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NCAA tournament matchup is the latest chapter for Bradley and Michigan State

PEORIA — When Peoria native Peter Hanley was 10 years old in 2007, he was thrilled to attend the Bradley-Michigan State basketball game at Carver Arena with his family.

“We had that one circled on our calendar as soon as it was announced,” Hanley said. “It was a white out and everybody in the arena was wearing white.”

The game, won by the then ninth-ranked Spartans 66-61 in comeback fashion, remains the highest attended contest at Carver Arena in Bradley history at 11,597. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo raved about the “big-time” atmosphere following the game.

All these years later, Hanley, now a senior for the Braves, gets the chance to play against the Spartans on a much bigger stage.