Bradley has been picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball poll, the Braves’ highest preseason placement since also being tabbed for second in 2007-08.
The Braves, coming off their first MVC tournament championship in 31 years and returning four of their top five scorers, received five first-place votes for a total of 368 points.
Missouri State received 29 first-place votes of 40 votes cast and totaled 410 points. The Bears tied for third a year ago at 10-8, while Bradley tied for fifth with Illinois State at 9-9. Loyola was picked to win last year and tied for the regular-season title with Drake.