MVC Basketball: 2023 conference tournament preview and predictions

Who wins the MVC Basketball Tournament?

Bradley should win this tournament and go on to NCAA Tournament success. Brian Wardle’s team has all the right ingredients. Can someone knock them off? Of course! As noted, Belmont, a possible semifinal-round opponent defeated the Braves twice. The second victory was Bradley’s last loss. They’ve won ten straight and look unstoppable.

Drake should win in the other semifinal and create another epic battle between these two league favorites. They were picked to finish in the top two during the preseason poll and were tied for the top spot heading into the final game.

They split their regular season games.

How Bradley handles DeVries is the key to everything. When the Braves lost in Des Moines the sophomore star scored 28 points. When Bradley won at home Sunday, they held him to eleven. As we’ve all heard, ‘defense wins championships’ and Bradley is an elite defensive team.

Drake only allows 64 points per game and the matchup between Mast and Bulldog big man Darnell Brodie bears watching. If Mast can get him in foul trouble, it could spell trouble for the Bulldogs.

Drake wins when their bench scores and is productive. During Sunday’s loss, DeVries’ bench added TWO POINTS.  They need production from Connor Enright, Nate Ferguson, and Sardaar Calhoun.

Drake could make it to the tournament final for the third straight year, but Missouri State could surprise everyone and get to the championship game. Dana Ford’s team is talented and seems to be figuring it out.

For the record, I incorrectly picked Missouri State to win last year’s tournament. 

Their ability to switch all five defenders is a unique defensive trait. MSU held Bradley to 58 and 64 points in their two earlier encounters, but the Braves won them both.

This is Bradley’s tournament to lose and then watch them upset some power conference school during the Big Dance.