Let’s get this out in the open – the men’s basketball team is not going to be very good this year. We’ll be lucky to win 10 games total, and anything more than three wins in the conference will be a step in the right direction, which still isn’t encouraging.
This shouldn’t be news to anyone who follows Bradley basketball. If it is, here are some stats to prove that the Braves are, indeed, bad: Bradley ranked dead last in the 2015-2016 Missouri Valley Conference for points per game, field goal percentage, assists and free throw percentage.
Bradley also returns with virtually the same lineup from last season. So is it agreed that Bradley will not be good? Good.
Why reiterate that we’re going to stink? Because soon we are going to be good again, and I want to remind everyone of the light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s important to note this team is still extremely young – one of the youngest in the conference. They have no seniors, so returning junior Donte Thomas will have to serve as a sort of pseudo-senior this year. He gets a practice run at being a real senior and taking on a vital leadership role. Thomas will also have the benefit of transfers JoJo McGlaston and Alex Foster, both juniors, who can assist in leading the team.
The notoriously massive sophomore class, which shrunk over the offseason due to transfers, will offer some flashes of brilliance. Guys like Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Luuk van Bree and Callum Barker have a year under their belts in the conference and with each other. They’re still physically getting stronger and developing their skills. Hopefully, they will take a big step forward.
Further, Bradley has a coach with a good track record of success and who is clearly passionate about the program. Head coach Brian Wardle finally had his first full recruiting cycle finish up this year, so he is getting his guys into the program. The quality of Bradley basketball will improve immensely in the years to come as Wardle continues to carefully recruit players who fit his style of play.
Don’t call this blind optimism, either. You don’t need to be a basketball expert to understand how quality programs are built. We’ve got a coach who’s a proven winner, which means he gets the Xs and Os while also understanding recruitment. If you recall, we are in this situation because a certain coach (hint: rhymes with Feno Gord) was hired from a mediocre program with an even worse head coaching track record. Bradley, it seems, hasn’t made the same mistake twice.
Rebuilding a program doesn’t happen overnight, though. Wardle knows that. His players know that. If the Athletics Department is smart, they’ll know it too and give Wardle sufficient time to turn things around. And fans, if you’re smart, you’ll be patient with Wardle and his team.
Look, I hope I’m wrong about this season; I would gladly eat my words and pride to see us win 10 games in the conference. But, it’s important to not expect this. It would be irresponsible of fans and journalists to presume even an average season from the Braves. When February rolls around, Bradley will likely have double-digit losses in the conference and will be getting creamed by more talented foes. We can’t berate them for simply being outmatched – our program can’t compete with the likes of Wichita State or Illinois State right now.
“Right now” is temporary, though, just like the pain we’ll feel this season. Trust the process because we will be good again.
