by Sports Xchange

Guards Dyricus Simms-Edwards and Jake Eastman likely won't play much of a role unless injuries bench returners. Both seem to be good redshirt candidates.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Bradley consistently schedules good opponents, and this season is no exception. Les likes to push his teams and he is no doubt using his recent schedules as a recruiting tool in contrast to his main rival at Illinois State.

   The Braves play at Mountain West favorite Brigham Young in the conference challenge series on Nov. 13. They open a tournament in Las Vegas against Oklahoma State (Nov. 27) and could face either Utah or Illinois in the second round. Bradley has lost four straight games to the Illini, most recently in 2006.

   A road game at Iowa State (Dec. 20) offers another test.

   PROGRAM DIRECTION: Bradley is a consistent winner and benefits from the recent growth of second-tier post-season tournaments. Its attendance makes Bradley an attractive participant. Les has proven he can coach guards and turn them into winners. He needs to find some big men to make the Braves a title threat in the MVC.

   PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Sam Maniscalco, SG Dodie Dunson, SF Chris Roberts, SF Andrew Warren and C Sam Singh.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   --Sophomore forward Taylor Brown was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge in early September. Coach Jim Les, in a news release, said Brown would be disciplined.

   --Junior Andrew Warren and sophomore Will Egolf are practicing without limits as they return from injuries.

   --Bradley's biggest loss is a crucial one. Forward Theron Wilson, an All-MVC pick, was one of the conference's most versatile players. He led the Braves in scoring and rebounding last season.