One of their earliest coaches was Harold Olsen, who in 1959 was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor for his 24 years guiding the Ohio State Buckeyes to multiple Final Fours, spearheading efforts to create the NCAA tournament, helping initiate the 10-second rule and coaching the Chicago Staggs to the finals of the first BAA (later renamed NBA) playoffs.

In 1938, Bradley went 18–2 and was one of six teams invited to the inaugural NIT, where they lost 53–40 to eventual national champion Temple.

After a hiatus during World War II, the Braves qualified for the 1947 NIT, losing in the quarterfinals to West Virginia, 69–60.

[3] The scandal affected Bradley as Bradley players Gene Melchiorre, Bill Mann, Bud Grover, Aaron Preece, and Jim Kelly admitted to taking bribes from gamblers to hold down scores against St. Joseph's in Philadelphia in 1951 and against Oregon State in Chicago.

[3] Melchiorre, Mann, and George Chianakos pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, but avoided jail time.

[3] In 1952, the Braves went 32–6 and lost to Syracuse 76–75 in the final of the National Campus Basketball Tournament, which was held in response to the point-shaving scandals centered around New York.

In 1954, though only going 19–13, the Braves again advanced to the NCAA tournament's championship game, this time falling short to La Salle, 92–76.

Bob Vanatta coached the Braves for two seasons after Anderson departed, and led Bradley to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in 1955 as an independent, where they lost to Colorado, 93–81.

However, conference rival Cincinnati was in the midst of a run that ended in five straight Final Four appearances, including two national championships.

[5] Orsborn also has the distinction of recording his first 100 victories in 120 games, which is sixth on the all-time list for college coaches.

[7] In his 13 years as head coach, the Braves made only two postseason appearances: the 1968 NIT and the 1974 National Commissioners Invitational tournament.

After this season, Versace left for the NBA where he became head coach of the Indiana Pacers and eventually President and General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bradley alumnus and former Chicago Bulls head coach Stan Albeck was hired to lead the Braves in 1986.

In 1988, Albeck led the Braves to the MVC regular season and tournament titles behind National Player of the Year and national scoring leader Hersey Hawkins, and finished #11 in the final Associated Press Poll before losing to Auburn in the NCAA tournament, 90–86.

After leaving Bradley in 1991, Albeck became an assistant for the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors of the NBA.

Bradley turned to Northern Illinois University head coach Jim Molinari to lead the Braves in 1991.

After NIT appearances in 1994 and 1995 the Braves, led by future NBA first round draft pick Anthony Parker, captured the MVC championship in 1996 and advanced to the NCAA tournament where they were defeated by Stanford, 66–58.

In 2006, the Braves won their final five games of the season to finish in a tie for fifth place in MVC play.

The Braves surprised in the MVC tournament, reaching the championship game before losing to Southern Illinois.

[12] Each of Les's next three Brave teams appeared in postseason play, losing in the second round of the 2007 NIT, and finishing as runners-up in the 2008 College Basketball Invitational and 2009 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

[14] Ford's teams struggled under his leadership, failing to win more than seven games in conference play and finishing in last place in his first and final years at Bradley.

Ford's tenure at Bradley was most notable for a lawsuit filed by Kent State, his former employer, seeking payment on a buyout clause in his contract.

[17] Following Geno Ford's firing, the school hired Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle.

In 2017, with Junior Donte Thomas as their best player, the 2017 Braves team improved to a 13–20 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in MVC play.

The Braves have appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments and have advanced to two final fours and two national championship games.

Fans were given the opportunity to help select the 15 greatest players in the program's history, creating the team of the century.