For the first time in 25 years, the Bradley University men’s basketball team placed atop the Missouri Valley Conference’s preseason poll.
After posting a 23-11 overall record last season, the Braves received 46 of 49 first-place votes to outrank Northern Iowa by 50 points heading into Brian Wardle’s 10th season as head coach.
Fifth-year guard Duke Deen was tabbed the Preseason Player of the year. He was joined on the preseason all-conference first team by fifth-year forward Darius Hannah, while senior guard Zek Montgomery made the second team.
After winning the Valley’s regular-season championship in 2022-23, Bradley placed third in the league last season with a 13-7 MVC record. Last year’s team lost in the MVC Tournament semifinal after falling short in the title game the year before.
The Braves are looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, when they won the first of back-to-back Arch Madness titles; the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Northern Iowa earned two first-place votes, while Murray State got the last top-spot vote and landed in third place. Illinois State and defending MVC Tournament champion Drake rounded out the top five.
Bradley welcomes Millikin to Carver Arena for an exhibition game on Oct. 30, before opening the regular season at home against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 4.
