4. Bradley

Preseason poll: 5th

Bradley has won 20 games each of the last three seasons. If coach Jim Les wants the Braves to make that four in a row, all of his newcomers will need to step up.

Daniel Ruffin and Jeremy Crouch graduated, so the Braves will desperately need leadership and shooting help. Guard Sam Maniscalco (6'0" So.) was forced into point guard duties as Ruffin missed time for varying reasons. Though this scenario hurt Bradley in the short term, Maniscalco earned valuable experience that should give Braves fans confidence in his ability to take over for Ruffin. His shooting ability can be streaky but Maniscalco really excels in slashing to the hoop and getting layups. The better he gets, the better Bradley will play.

Bradley's best all-around player also returns in forward Theron Wilson (6'5" Sr.). This junior college transfer was the last signee for Les going into last season but has proven to be the best of the bunch. Wilson's long, athletic frame gives him the ability to be a tenacious rebounder as well as cutting through the lane and drawing contact on offense. If he has any weakness it is at the free throw line. Wilson only shot 60? percent last season, which is disheartening considering how often he got to the line (??? attempts).

The third returning starter is guard Andrew Warren (6'5" Jr.). The team's best pure scorer, Warren has a solid inside-outside game. The only concern about Warren going into the season is the foot surgery he had for a stress fracture. Bradley hopes to have him back by the beginning of the season, but these types of injuries can often take longer than expected to heal.

Bradley also has two interior players returning in center David Collins (7'0" Sr.) and forward Sam Singh (6'9" Sr.). Collins played very well during the 2008 postseason and will hopefully build on that success. He has a nice shooting touch for such a big guy, but can often play soft around the hoop.

Singh is one of those players that seem to have been around for a decade. This season is Singh's fifth after his Bradley career has been radically shortened by a series of injuries. He doesn't have the biggest skill set on the court, but Singh does provide a big body who can rebound, score close to the basket and knock down free throws.

Coach Jim Les will need to infuse a group of transfers and freshman into the remainder of the lineup and rotation. Considering their experience, expect junior college transfer guards Dodie Dunson (6'3 Jr.) and Chris Roberts (6'4 Jr.) to make the biggest splash.

Dunson is considered to be a tenacious defender and will be the Braves "stopper." Whatever Dunson can provide on the offensive end will just add to his value.

Roberts fits the mold of many "tweeners" that Les likes to recruit. The early comparisons of Roberts go to former Brave Lawrence Wright, who could nearly jump out of the building. The biggest question is how that athleticism translates to actual basketball skills.

Forward/center Will Egolf (6'9 So.) will be expected to be a bigger contributor this season. The Alaskan native has a load of talent but seemed scared by the bright lights of Division I basketball last season. Hopefully with a year under his belt he will be better for the Braves.

Center Anthony "Sticks" Thompson (6'10" R-Fr.) redshirted last season and has put on weight to his slender frame. He was a highly touted recruit out of high school — can he make the adjustment to the next level?

Bradley also has a bunch of other newcomers to the team, all of whom are a bit of an enigma until they're on the floor. Guards Eddren McCain (5'11" Fr.) and Darian Norris (5'11" Fr.) as well as forward Taylor Brown (6'6" Fr.) will likely see minutes this season, but it's too soon to tell who will emerge yet.

The Braves certainly have the talent to finish near the top of the Valley. Les will need to bring this team together as quickly as possible in order for that to happen.