For the first time, the Bradley Scout presents weekly power rankings for basketball. Every week, sports editor Latif Love and assistant sports editor Owen Dimpfl will rank the 12 teams in the Missouri Valley Conference based on performance, strength of schedule and availability of key players. The baseline for week one of the rankings will be our preseason predictions. Most importantly, the power rankings are not the standings.
1. Bradley (1-0)
Preseason ranking: 1
Latest result: 88-60 win versus SEMO
Next matchup: Washington State
Bradley was ranked as the consensus best team in the Valley heading into the season and proved it in game one. The Braves used hot shooting, balanced scoring and stout defense to dominate SEMO. The Braves showcased their depth, with freshman Jaquan Johnson scoring 15 points off the bench. Bradley’s next game is against the formidable Washington State.
2. Northern Iowa (2-0)
Preseason ranking: 2
Latest result: 87-68 win versus Milwaukee
Next matchup: UC Irvine
Preseason all-conference selection Tytan Anderson led the way for the Panthers with 19 points and four assists in their win over Milwaukee after scoring 13 points and adding six rebounds in a dominant win against Dubuque. In both games, four other players scored in double figures. Northern Iowa looks as good as advertised so far. The Panthers came into the season ranked second in our rankings and have done nothing but expand on that placement.
3. Murray State (1-0)
Preseason ranking: 3
Latest result: 113-37 win versus Bethel (TN)
Next matchup: Pittsburgh
Murray State displayed a great offensive output in their win over Bethel, an NAIA opponent. Preseason all-conference pick JaCobi Wood scored 17 points with three rebounds and three assists. The new transfers for the Racers had significant debuts. Kylen Milton scored 19 points on seven-of-nine shooting and three-for-four on three-point attempts. Terence Harcum, AJ Ferguson and Justin Morgan also scored double figures.
4. Drake (1-0)
Preseason ranking: 4
Latest result: 93-41 win versus York
Next matchup: Stephen F. Austin
The Bulldogs celebrated their championship season from last year in their win against York. Northwest Missouri State transfer Daniel Abreu dazzled with 30 points in his first game in a Drake uniform. Abreu was consistent from the field and made six-of-10 shots from three-point range. He could be the main scoring option for this team, which looks to replace the offensive production left by Tucker DeVries. Bennett Stirtz, another transfer from Northwest Missouri State, recorded 18 points and seven assists.
5. Southern Illinois (0-1)
Preseason rank: 7
Latest result: 90-80 loss versus Charleston
Next matchup: Missouri S&T
Despite losing at the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase, the Salukis battled a good Charleston team that has consistently made the NCAA Tournament in recent years. Transfer Elijah Elliot broke out with a 23-point performance and shot nine-for-14 on the floor. Ali Dibba had 14 points in his Saluki debut and preseason all-conference selection Kennard Davis Jr. had 12 points. If Southern Illinois is more efficient with their shooting — shot five-for-21 from three — they won’t be a team to take lightly.
6. Illinois State (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 5
Latest result: 77-68 win at North Dakota State
Next matchup: Ohio
The Redbirds lost to U.T. Martin in their first game of the season due to cold shooting and key players Boden Skunberg and Brandon Lieb missing the game. In their next matchup, Illinois State bounced back with a win against North Dakota State behind Johnny Kinzgier’s 20-point performance.
7. Indiana State (1-1)
Preseason ranking: 6
Last result: 93-48 win versus Eureka
Next matchup: SIUE
Indiana State predictably struggled against FAU, who made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons. The Sycamores lost by 30 but bounced back against Eureka with a dominant 93-48 win. The team is still finding its identity, so it won’t be taxed too much for a loss to a very good FAU team.
8. Belmont (1-0)
Preseason ranking: 8
Latest result: 93-70 win versus Maryville (TN)
Next matchup: Furman
Belmont trailed at halftime by three but improved its defensive effort in the second half to beat Maryville College. The Bruins converted at a rate of 46.2 percent from behind the arch, as Isaiah Walker, Sam Orme and Tyler Lundblade each made at least three three-point field goals. Walker was the leading scorer with 19 points and was one of five Bruins to score in double figures.
9. Evansville (0-1)
Preseason ranking: 9
Latest result: 80-63 loss at North Texas
Next matchup: Brescia
The Purple Aces started their season in a tough road contest in Denton, Texas. They had a rough offensive showing in the first half but found their groove in the second half and shot 64 percent. The biggest positive in the loss was freshman Gabriel Pozzato, who scored 28 points while shooting 10-for-16 on field goals. Tanner Cuff had a well-rounded performance with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
10. Missouri State (0-1)
Preseason ranking: 12
Latest result: 72-65 loss at Butler
Next matchup: Missouri Southern
The Bears held their own at the iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse against a quality opponent. Missouri State and Butler battled back and forth in a game that saw nine lead changes and five ties at different points. The Austin Peay transfer Dez White impressed with 21 points, five assists and four rebounds. Zaxton King and Jalen Hampton had solid games with 12 points and 10 points, respectively.
11. Valparaiso (0-1)
Preseason ranking: 10
Latest result: 83-63 loss versus Liberty
Next matchup: Concordia Ann Arbor
It was a rough first game for the Beacons in their loss to a talented Liberty team. Preseason all-conference pick Cooper Schwieger struggled and scored only one field goal out of nine attempted shots. Overall, the team shot a poor 34.9 percent from the field and made only two three-pointers on 15 tries. Tyler Schmidt was the leading scorer with 17 points. Devon Ellis followed him with 13 points and Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro with 12 points.
12. UIC (1-0)
Preseason ranking: 11
Latest result: 91-43 win versus St. Francis
Next matchup: Yale
UIC had well-rounded showings from starters Javon Jackson, Ahmad Henderson II and Saša Ciani. Jackson led the way with 21 points and five steals. Henderson II had 14 points with five assists and Ciani had 11 points with seven rebounds. A pleasant surprise off the bench was Modestas Kancleris who logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Flame’s next matchup against Yale will be a tough non-conference game that could strengthen Rob Ehsan’s team.
