Busting Brackets
Fansided

Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By TJ Miller

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 3: Head coach Brian Wardle of the Bradley Braves directs his team during a game against the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 3, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 3: Head coach Brian Wardle of the Bradley Braves directs his team during a game against the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 3, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

4. Bradley Braves

2017-18 season: 20-13 (9-9)

Coach Brian Wardle has done some kind of job his first three seasons at Bradley. He’s gone from 5 wins to 13, to 20 this past season. With 4 returning starters, this team has a chance to challenge the top of the league.

Wardle’s team benefited from a staunch defense as the Braves played a grind it out style of play limiting its opponents shooting at 40.5% (1st in MVC).

The primary question will be if Bradley can score consistently? Darrell Brown (13.5 ppg, 4.3 apg) led last year’s team in both points and assists and will be back for his junior year. 6’7 Sophomore Elijah Childs put together an impressive freshman season and should fill the shoes of graduated Donte Thomas. Childs scored a game-high 18 points in Bradley’s 69-67 win over Loyola-Chicago back in January.

Another good shooting season from Nate Kennell (38%) will also be vital to the Braves chances in raising its win total. The momentum is rolling for this Bradley program. And Wardle is slowly but surely proving he belongs here.