Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

5. Bradley Braves

2020-21 record: 12-16 overall, 6-12 in the MVC

Brian Wardle’s teams at Bradley have been defensive stalwarts and seemingly are always in the mix in the Valley. However, a year after winning the MVC tournament title, they struggled to a 12-16 finish and a first-round exit in the conference tournament.

The Braves leading scorer and rebounder, Elijah Childs graduated and their leading assist man Sean East II transferred. Wardle does have senior Ja’Shon Henry and his 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds returning as do guard Ville Tahvanainen and forward Rienk Mast who averaged 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds. The biggest impact returner could be 7-1 senior Ari Boya 5.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in nine games last season before a season-ending injury.

Newcomers at Bradley are primarily backcourt players including freshman Connor Hickman, junior college transfer Terry Roberts who should fit right in with Wardle’s defensive style. He played at Florida Southwestern State where he averaged nearly three steals per game to go with 5.7 assists. Also coming is graduate transfer Mikey Howell who played four years at UC-San Diego where he led the Big West in assists with six per game last season.

The Braves’ defense will always keep them in games, last season despite the 16 losses only seven were by more than 10 points. If guys like Howell and Roberts can make an impact, expect the Braves to be a pest again in the MVC race.