The Bradley men’s basketball team was picked for a fourth-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference, its highest predicted finish since 2007-08, in a release Thursday from the league office.
BU totaled 305 points in finishing behind, in order, Loyola (29 first-place votes), Illinois State (10) and Southern Illinois (4). It’s the first time in league history that four teams from the state of Illinois topped the poll, which is voted on by the league’s coaches, sports information directors and media.
UNI was chosen for fifth, followed by Indiana State, Valparaiso, Missouri State, Drake and Evansville.
The Braves return four starters from a 20-13 season in which they tied for fifth place with Drake in the MVC.