by Sports Xchange

   Jeff Sagarin's all-time computer ratings rank Bradley No. 39, by far the best of any Missouri Valley Conference program. The great Braves teams of yesteryear piled up many wins and trips to the NIT and NCAA tournaments.

   The current Braves are still piling up post-season trips, but it's been a long time since Bradley ruled the MVC. Bradley hasn't finished higher than fourth since 2001 and hasn't won a regular-season title since 1996. Its most recent MVC tournament title came in 1988.

   Under coach Jim Les, the Braves are usually good, but not a threat to win big. Last season, he polished up a coaching resume by guiding a team rocked by injury to a fourth-place finish (by two games). His recent teams are led by strong guard play and let down by their big men.

This season's group appears to be similar. Bradley's backcourt is deep, experienced and talented. It can match up with any team in the MVC at the guard and small forward positions and feel good.

Senior guard Dodie Dunson averaged 10.1 points and is a good outside shooter (36.8 percent from three) and defender. Senior small forward Chris Roberts is one of the Valley's best leapers. Junior point guard Sam Maniscalco, who averaged 12.6 points as a sophomore, has helped run the team since his freshman season. Sophomore guard Eddren McCain handed out 111 assists and might be the fastest player in the conference.

That's a good group, made even better by the return of junior Andrew Warren. He missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot. As a sophomore, Warren averaged 13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Throw in talented big men, and that's a big winner. Unfortunately, Les can't be sure what he has in the frontcourt. The four returning inside players combined to average 13.1 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. Senior Sam Singh is a tough, smart role player who will probably start. Sophomore Will Egolf started three games before a knee injury ended his season. Sophomore Taylor Brown played in all 36 games and showed flashes of athletic ability. He played well during a five-game trip to Brazil in August. Freshmen forwards Milos Knezevic and Jordan Prosser should get a shot at playing time.

Bradley will play fast and shoot threes to take advantage of its wealth of talent at guard. The big men need to do their part to make this team a contender.