Bradley Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Braves

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) /

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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 9: Clayton Custer #13 of the Loyola Ramblers drives to the basket against Elijah Childs #10 of the Bradley Braves during the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 9, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Potential starters and reserves for Bradley

There are two starting spots spoken for by Childs and Brown and it would make sense for Kennell to slide into one of the vacated spots. If Wardle wants to deploy a more typical lineup, then senior Koch Bar would be the first up to take that spot, if he wants a more guard-oriented five, then Kingsby would likely play alongside Brown.

Two other reserves that could play a key part in the Braves’ success if they can build off their freshmen seasons are sophomores Boya and Henry, their length, 7-1 and 6-6 respectively will make their opponents’ path to the basket a little more difficult.

The remaining reserves are all in their first year with the program. Thomas and Gabriel are the two that come to the program with the most fanfare, but a pair of 6-4 guards, Sean Houpt from Illinois and Ville Tahvanainen also join the team and could fight for backcourt minutes. The only other player on the roster taller than 6-7, aside from Bar and Boya is the 6-9 Mast who played previously in the Netherlands. The Braves will once again rely on defense, having their top three scorers return and a guy like Kingsby should help them with their offensive struggles.