Missouri Valley Conference Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25

No. 1 – Bradley Braves

Bradley’s drive is about winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and returning to the national tournament. While the Braves have won 48 games the last two seasons and claimed the 2023 regular season title, they have lost the last two Arch Madness Tournament title games. 

That motivation is driving the entire Bradley squad. 

Brian Wardle has assembled a deep and experienced team. Point guard Duke Deen is the Valley’s preseason player of the year and the only player returning from any of the league’s all-conference players from last season. Deen is the Braves’ undisputed leader and best player. 

While just 5’8 he is a tenacious rebounder and a fierce competitor. 

Darius Hannah is the league’s best dunker and a rabid rebounder. The 6’9 senior is a double-digit scorer (11.5 ppg) and a tenacious defender. His 47 steals and 42 blocked shots reflect his athleticism and determination. 

An injured knee could hold Hannah out of action for the next two weeks. 

Zek Montgomery was a solid contributor on the 2023 championship team and then transferred to Rhode Island. After a productive season (9.6 ppg) with the Rams, Montgomery has returned. Deen and Hannah openly recruited their former teammate and he gives Wardle three, preseason all-conference type players. 

Wardle’s teams play hard-nosed, defensive basketball. His teams are physical and get better as the season progresses. Last year’s team led the Valley in all the major defensive statistics. 

This year’s team is deep at virtually every postion. Talented Christian Davis (7.5 ppg), emerging talent Demarion Burch (4.8 ppg) and grad transfer Donnor Dillon provide depth in the backcourt. Dillon could easily join the starting lineup, but is currently struggling with back issues. 

Sophomore centers Almar Atlason (4.6 ppg) and Ahmet  Jonovic (3.6) team with transfer Corey Thomas to provide size, depth and experience in the frontcourt. 

Bradley has the talent, depth and defensive tenacity to win the Valley. If Hannah and Dillon get healthy, the Braves should claim their second title in the last three years.