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This trip to Des Moines feels different for Braves

PEORIA — Exactly one month ago, the Bradley men’s basketball team boarded its red Peoria Charter bus for Des Moines to play Drake.

When they did the same on a cool, sunny Tuesday afternoon, the mood must have felt much different.

This time, a crowd of about 60 loyal fans lined the sidewalk outside Renaissance Coliseum, cheered and slapped hands with the Braves as they climbed aboard for the four-hour trip.

“Just another ride to Des Moines,” laughed BU guard Nate Kennell.

Except Wells Fargo Arena (capacity 17,000) is the ultimate destination, not the Knapp Center (capacity 7,100).