Missouri Valley Basketball: Predicting stars for each team in 2017-18

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 5: Members of the Wichita State Shockers celebrate after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Scottrade Center on March 5, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Wardle of the Bradley Braves (left) talks with Cooper /

Bradley Braves – Darrell Brown

As of the late, the Braves have been trending towards the bottom half of the conference. Last year was no different, with a seventh-place finish. Part of the reason was Bradley’s scoring, which was next to last in the conference.

Their biggest issue was that they were missing their best player for half the year, who also happened to be their youngest as well.

Darrell Brown only managed to play in 17 games last season due to injuries. Even then, he still managed to make a big enough impression to be named on the Missouri Valley All-Freshmen team.

While he was in the lineup he led the team with 12.6 ppg. He was the only player who averaged double-digit scoring. On a team that desperately needs scoring, his health for next year will be important for Bradley to crack the top half of next season.

What will help is that the Braves not only return Brown but the next to most important players in seniors Donte Thomas and Jojo McGlaston. Thomas, the leading passer, and McGlaston, the leading rebounder, will look to form a three-headed attack that will have foes fearing Bradley once again.