Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

By TJ Miller | Nov 5, 2019

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Matt Hein #5 and Phil Fayne #10 of the Illinois State Redbirds defend against Cameron Krutwig #25 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 9: Darrell Brown #5 of the Bradley Braves shoots the ball over Bruno Skokna #4 of the Loyola Ramblers 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) /

3. Bradley

2018-19: 20-15, (9-9)

I’m not sure there is a more perfect example of the unpredictability of the Missouri Valley than Bradley’s performance last season. The Braves started MVC play 0-5 before going 9-4 and adding three straight Arch Madness victories in St. Louis to earn an NCAA Tournament birth. Which version of Bradley will we see this season?

The table is certainly set quite nicely for Brian Wardle’s group. Darrell Brown, Elijah Childs, and Nate Kennell all come back as a formidable big three. Add in 6-11 Koch Bar and talented transfer Danya Kingsby and there is plenty to like about this team. On defense, Bradley held conference opponents to just 31% from 3PT, which ranked best in the Valley.

With that said, it will be the offensive end that should determine Bradley’s success this season. The Braves hope to avoid long stretches of basketball where the offense struggles. During the 0-5 span mentioned above, Bradley averaged just 54.6 points per game and shot 34.5% from the field. If the Braves can take a step up offensively this team can grab the 2020 regular-season title.