MVC Basketball: Way-too-early preseason power rankings for 2019-20

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Ja'Shon Henry #22 of the Bradley Braves runs on to the court with his teammates after beating the Northern Iowa Panthers during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bradley Braves beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 57-54 to win the MVC Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

1 of 11

ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 10: Members of the Bradley Braves celebrate after beating the Northern Iowa Panthers in the final game of MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bradley Braves beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 57-54 to win the MVC Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

MVC Basketball has a storied history of Cinderella runs in the NCAA Tournament and will have a number of dangerous teams near the top next year. Here’s a way-too-early look at how the league could shake out in ’19-20.

For years, it seems there has always been a team from the Missouri Valley Conference that serves as the annual “bracket buster” in March Madness. MVC Basketball has seen success from emerging powers, such as Creighton and Wichita State, who have moved on to different leagues as well as some of the league’s mainstays. Who can forget the recent Final Four run from upstart Loyola and their #1 fan Sister Jean?

The Ramblers were obviously the trendy pick to repeat as MVC champions in the ’18-19 season behind standout guards Marques Townes and Clayton Custer. Loyola did finish in a first-place tie for the regular season crown with Drake, but they were stunned by a red-hot Bradley in the conference tournament semi-finals and fell short of a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.

That same Bradley team, who finished tied for 5th in the regular season, overcame an 18 point second-half deficit to knock off Northern Iowa 57-54 to capture the MVC crown and earn the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth since their Sweet 16 run in 2006.

Bradley was awarded a 15-seed and a date with Tom Izzo and Michigan State. The Braves were smelling upset and gave Michigan State all they wanted and more, holding a 51-50 lead deep into the second half behind inspiring performances from Elijah Childs and Darrell Brown. Unfortunately for Bradley fans, the slipper did not quite fit and Michigan State pulled away late for a 76-65 victory.

Next season should be an exciting one in the Missouri Valley Conference. Loyola appears to be reloading and hungry to reclaim the throne, but they will be heavily challenged. Bradley and Drake return a good amount of talent and coach Dana Ford has something special brewing at Missouri State.

So, how are things going to shake out? Check out our thoughts here in our way-too-early look at the Missouri Valley Conference heading in to the 2019-2020 season.