Preseason Predictions for 2019-2020

[tornado]

Lots of work left in 2018-19 but believe it or not I have already seen some early preseason predictions for NEXT YEAR

- it's hard to know what will happen between now & next fall - note that a year ago everyone thought Loyola, ISU & SIU would be the teams to beat in 2018-19

-SIU and ISU lose the most to graduation, Bradley returns their top 3 scorers and 4 of their top 5
Drake loses their top 3 scorers, Missouri State loses 3 of their top 6, but lots of unexpected personnel changes throughout the MVC still could take place

-The Missouri State beat writer says if he had to fill out his preseason ballot for 2019-2020, he'd place Missouri State at #1 and he thinks Tulio Da Silva is a favorite for Preseason Player of the Year
https://www.news-leader.com/story/sp...rs/2901813002/
https://www.news-leader.com/story/sp...es/2950103002/

[brocks]

I'm interested in seeing where others think BU will be picked preseason next year (let's leave aside all the obvious caveats about off-season movement, etc.). I think Bradley fans need to brace themselves for multiple first-place votes in preseason polls. This will engender some sensations of cognitive dissonance among BU fans, I'd guess. While I fully understand the implications of losing guys like DLO and LL, a returning core of Brown and Childs and Kennell and Henry--wow. I also wouldn't sleep on Hodgson. He's a competitor, and I can see him having a special senior season.

[brocks]

I'm interested in seeing where others think BU will be picked preseason next year (let's leave aside all the obvious caveats about off-season movement, etc.). I think Bradley fans need to brace themselves for multiple first-place votes in preseason polls. This will engender some sensations of cognitive dissonance among BU fans, I'd guess. While I fully understand the implications of losing guys like DLO and LL, a returning core of Brown and Childs and Kennell and Henry--wow. I also wouldn't sleep on Hodgson. He's a competitor, and I can see him having a special senior season.

[elmerb]

The NCAA selection committee would pick them 15th to win the Valley.

[egib52]

Elijah and Henry down low vs smaller teams, and Boya (if he progresses a lot over the summer) or Bar (if he doesn't) vs the Sparty type larger teams. I think we'll have good versatility there.

I actually would like to see them develop Henry more as a 2 or 3. He played on the wing in HS, and I think he was forced into the post due in part to the lack of other options.

[Mikovio]

Whether he was forced into it or not, he's proven to be good in the frontcourt. He's got a nose for the ball and finishing around the rim, and his toughness fighting for position and rebounding makes up for his lack of height in the post. As long as he's not matched with a guy too much bigger than him I'm very comfortable rolling with Henry in the post.

[Da Coach]

I think you are right that Bradley will get some 1st place votes, but I do not see them finishing near 1st overall in the preseason poll once all the votes are in.
Missouri State will probably be #1, and UNI returns quite a bit. Recall that UNI made it to the championship game of the MVC Tournament, and they only lose 1 scholarship senior (Wyatt Lohaus). Illinois State might get a few votes in the upper half because of the hype, though undeserved, that has been given to all their transfers, injured players, and academic casualties. But I see them dropping down because of how much they lost, and they still don't have a real point guard.

IMO, unlike this year where there was more parity than usual, I think there will be more separation next year with SIU and Valpo needing total rebuilds, and Drake, ILSU, Indiana State, and Evansville losing key players or still in rebuilding mode.

[ihatetea]

With things as they stand now, not accounting for transfers and spring commits, 3rd or 4th. But with a grad transfer guard that is starter caliber, I’d pick us 1st.

Luuks shooting will be missed in the front court. There will be a tough decision on if we will start small with Henry and Childs together then bring centers in for minutes or start big and bring Henry off the bench. Our most effective lineups to close the season had no center on the court. But there is an obvious path forward there with how effective Henry was. Our best front court next year will be two guys under 6’8” who might not be able to shoot over 30% from three for either one.

The more difficult situation is our perimeter. As things stand now, we have to replace two combo guards who could both play point when necessary, were our two best perimeter defenders, our two best emotional leaders, and our two best perimeter athletes who got regular minutes. They were good shooters, guys who could create their own shots off the dribble, and guys who were good on the glass or diving for hustle possessions. We have one obvious candidate for a starting spot in Kennell, but he seems best in his current 6th man role because of his sometimes spotty defense and decision making. As it stands now, the next best options are two freshman who may or may not be ready, a sophomore who didn’t play heavy minutes who only shows definite defensive skill, or two seniors who spent the latter half of the season in the doghouse and fully out of the rotation. Next year will be a true test of Coach Wardle’s program building skills. A bridge season of sorts. He has proven himself so far, so I am confident he will do a good job. It would be a lot easier if we had an immediately eligible transfer to take the giant load off of Brown’s shoulders.

Those perimeter concerns, if unaddressed, will cause people to doubt us. If all of our players return I think coach can get the job done and get us a regular season championship. If we get a really good transfer there will be a good section of writers that will agree with me.

[Mikovio]

It's a guard game and even more a guard league. We'll have one of the best in Darrell but he was best suited as the 2 guard to Lundy's 1.

So the biggest question is who replaces Lundy? While I'm excited for Thomas he will be a freshman and shouldn't be thrust into a starting role. I don't have any faith in Hodgson, sorry. He's been given ample opportunity to grow into a good Valley guard and it just hasn't happened. We need a JUCO or grad transfer, and thankfully we have a couple REAL good ones lined up. Let's hope the deal closes. Kennell could easily slide into a starting spot or Gabriel if he's ready out of prep school. Brummett's a project on the offensive end and if he develops that game and earns more minutes that's gravy.

Elijah and Henry down low vs smaller teams, and Boya (if he progresses a lot over the summer) or Bar (if he doesn't) vs the Sparty type larger teams. I think we'll have good versatility there.

Contributions from Ville and Mast are gravy. Mast particularly would be great to have fill that stretch 4 Luuk role. I don't think they'll take as long as Luuk did to develop but it won't be immediate either.

It'll be close between MSU and Bradley for #1. If we land both our top targets here I'd give it to us.

[elmerb]

The NCAA selection committee would pick them 15th to win the Valley.

[egib52]

Elijah and Henry down low vs smaller teams, and Boya (if he progresses a lot over the summer) or Bar (if he doesn't) vs the Sparty type larger teams. I think we'll have good versatility there.

I actually would like to see them develop Henry more as a 2 or 3. He played on the wing in HS, and I think he was forced into the post due in part to the lack of other options.

[Mikovio]

Whether he was forced into it or not, he's proven to be good in the frontcourt. He's got a nose for the ball and finishing around the rim, and his toughness fighting for position and rebounding makes up for his lack of height in the post. As long as he's not matched with a guy too much bigger than him I'm very comfortable rolling with Henry in the post.