Missouri Valley Team Preview (Bradley Braves)

Forgive Bradley if they spend the pre-conference part of their schedule with “Hello, my name is…” stickers as part of their uniforms. Seven newcomers join a roster that has only one senior and two juniors. The transition of playing together with all the new teammates will be eased a bit by the fact the Braves were able to play five games in four days on a Canadian trip in mid-October. The result: five wins, and more of a comfort level with unknown teammates. On the flip side, Bradley lost nearly 50 ppg and 20 rpg due to graduation and departures. No Valley team lost even close to that. The biggest reason for optimism in Peoria is Marcellus Sommerville. The league Newcomer of the Year in 2003-2004, and unanimous 1st team All-Conference performer did not disappoint after coming to campus from Southwestern Illinois CC where he was a JC All-American. Originally a University of Iowa signee, the 6’7″ Junior led the league in rebounding at 7.3 rpg and averaged 15.6 ppg. He’ll definitely be the focal of opposing defenses, and he’ll be expected to carry a major load, at least initially because no other returning player averaged as much as 4 ppg last year. Mike Suggs was expected to help with some of the load, but the 6’6″ starting Senior had some off the court issues and didn’t return to school.  The Braves do have one thing no one else in the Valley has, and that is an abundance of size. It is unproven, but it is available. 7’0″ Junior Brandyn Heemskerk, healed from a fractured ankle that cost him the last seven games of last year, must improve on 1.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg averages. Patrick O’Bryant gives Bradley a second 7 footer. The Freshman is expected to contribute minutes as well. 6’9 Sophomore Michael Rembert (2 ppg and 2 rpg) will be in the mix along with 6’9 Freshman Sam Singh. Additional frontcourt newcomers include 6’7″ redshirt Freshman Lance Stemler and 6’4″ Junior JC transfer Lawrence Wright who averaged nearly 25 ppg at Yuba College in California. He has a 7’0″ wingspan and a 46″ vertical jump.

No team in the conference lost more in the backcourt than the Braves. Phillip Gilbert, James, Gillingham, and Marcello Robinson were the backbone of the team for the last three seasons. The most experienced guard left is 6’3″ Sophomore J.J. Tauai. He did see action in all 31 games last year to the tune of 3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, and 1.5 apg. In a league with many veteran guards, three newcomers will need to take notes fast. Expected to be the starting PG is lightning-fast 5’10” redshirt freshman Daniel Ruffin. Ruffin led the local high school team in Peoria to a state championship in his senior season. 6’0″ Junior Tony Bennett comes in after averaging 20 ppg and 5 rpg at Pratt CC in Kansas. The third new guard is 6’5″ Freshman Jeremy Crouch. Crouch is a local product as well, and comes in with the reputation of being a good shooter.

This team will certainly get better as the season goes on, and if Sommerville doesn’t bolt for the cash after this season, they could be a real player in the conference race as early as next year. Coach Jim Les prefers a fast-paced, pressing style and said the lack of depth would not allow the team to play that way. He feels he can go 10 deep now instead of the 7 deep of a year ago, and will now be able to incorporate that style more. A little too much inexperience makes it difficult to pick them higher than eighth heading into the season, but to find them three to four spots higher up the rung at the end of the season wouldn’t be surprising.

Predicted League Finish: 8th (6-12)