Game One Recap: UIC @ Bradley

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That was how preseason basketball should look!

Oh, that was a regular season game? Well, for Bradley and UIC's sake, it is only mid-November. After 52 fouls and 27 turnovers, both teams will have plenty of film to watch. Bradley (1-0) picked up its first win of the season without top returning scorer Andrew Warren (13.2 PPG in 2007-08), who still is still recovering from a surgery on his foot for a stress fracture.

Bradley made 33 of 47 free throws (70 percent), which helped offset the dismal shooting performance in the first half of the game (3 of 17, 17.6%). The Braves trailed 28-20 at halftime, which could have been much worse considering how sloppy the team's play.

Along with missing Warren's contributions, Bradley didn't get much contributions from their other returning leaders Theron Wilson and Sam Maniscalco during the first half. Wilson in particular looked particularly passive, choosing to pass outside when he got into a scoring position in the lane. Maybe Coach Jim Les gave them a swift kick in the rear at the break, as both looked like they were on a missing once the second 20-minute session began. Wilson finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Maniscalco chipped in 14 points himself.

New Braves Dodie Dunson and Chris Roberts arguably had the biggest influence on the outcome of the game. Dunson achieved his primary purpose by being Bradley's defensive stopper, slowing down Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Josh Mayo to 13 points on 5 of 14 shooting. Dunson also led Bradley in scoring with 21 points and 10 of 12 free throws.

Roberts had a nice stat line as well, scoring 12 and pulling down 7 rebounds. Roberts also had a thundering tip-slam that sent Carver Arena into a frenzy during the second half. His athleticism should be a big plus for a team that doesn't look like it will have the same outside shooting prowess that previous teams have had.

For as lethargic the Braves looked during stretches of the game Friday, a commitment to defense and rebounding was a welcomed change. This team showed that it has the ability to be good again, but it will need to win more games in the 60s instead of the 70s if it wants to finish near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Other observations:

* - Freshman Taylor Brown looked good again for the third straight game. His inside/outside game suits the Bradley offense well. Brown also brings a lot of energy to the floor, which was certainly lacking at times.

* - Redshirt freshman Anthony Thompson and sophomore Will Egolf did not play in the game. Coach Les used 9 players Friday and once Warren returns, another player's minutes will likely be reduced as well. Hopefully both get in the Florida game, as we need to get these players experience playing against other talented big men.

* - The new "boards" at Carver Arena are pretty noticeable, with new LCD-like screens on the press table as well as the baselines. Even though I had read some speculation about it being distracting, I don't feel like this has any influence on either team's performance.

* - Bradley needs to scrap the white-out idea. The primary color of the university is red and most wear that to the game. The participation last year for the Michigan State game was amazing, but that was a once in a lifetime game. But in reality, when you use a color that bright and you just get partial participation, it comes out looking strange:

(Note: I'd normally crop out people's heads from photos. But, anyone knows that when you have a part of "Super Fan Jay" in your shot, he has to stay there.)

* - This was the first of a few games I'll actually be able to attend in person this season. I tried to take some other photos too, and I'll post them soon.

Game One: Illinois-Chicago @ Bradley

Bradley opens its regular season tonight at home against the UIC Flames. UIC was 18-15 last season and 9-9 in the Horizon League, which was a tie for fourth place. They are led by preseason Horizon League player of the year Josh Mayo (17.1 points per game in 2007-08). Mayo made fellow point guard Daniel Ruffin look like about 5'2" after shredding the former Bradley standout for 34 points in last year's season opener at the UIC Pavilion.

Keys to the game:
Shut down Josh Mayo and Scott VanderMeer - might seem simple but these are two talented players and both Sam Maniscalco and David Collins (with Dodie Dunson at times) will need to help slow them both down.

Final score prediction:

UIC 74
BU 79

1. Creighton

Preseason poll: 1st

Southern Illinois has loads of talent. But Creighton can match the Salukis in skill and surpass them in experience.

The comparisons don't stop there, either. Both teams are loaded at guard and thin inside. Both teams also have very good senior leaders at the point and are always expected to be near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.

But the Bluejays are favored to win the conference championship – can you bet against Dana Altman? He's certainly won with less talent.

The most electric player for Creighton has to be guard P'Allen Stinnett (6'3" So.). He plays with some of the brashness that Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge does, but he can usually back up his attitude. Stinnett shot 45 percent from the floor and hit nearly 80 percent of his free throws during his freshman season (12.6 ppg).

Guard Josh Dotzler (6'1" Sr.) will be the man who will be serving up the ball to the talented back court players of Creighton. He's steady at carrying the ball and won't hurt the Bluejays.

The other two guards, Booker Woodfox (6'1" Sr.)and Cavel Witter (5'11" Jr.), are the players who make Creighton a special team. Woodfox's scoring exploded during conference play last year, tossing in double figures in each of the Bluejays last 11 games of the regular season.

Witter, on the other hand, didn't score big in every game. But when he gets hot, he can be nearly unstoppable. His signature game was a memorable one against Bradley last season, where he made 13 field goals en route to a 42-point game and a thrilling 111-110 double overtime win .

Like SIU's Tony Boyle, center Kenny Lawson Jr. (6'9" So.) will need to be a major contributor in the paint. Creighton doesn't have a ton of size and must count on Lawson and junior Chad Millard (6'8" Jr.) to grab some rebounds.

Millard has more of an outside game, though. Creighton hopes to get something from transfer guard/forward Justin Carter (6'4" Jr.). Though slightly undersized, Carter is known for inside game and will certainly be able to contribute against many of the smaller lineups that some Valley teams put on the floor.

Creighton certainly isn't a lock to win the title (see: Drake, 2007-08) but surely looks to have the best combination of talent, experience and coaching to take the crown.

2. Southern Illinois

Preseason poll: 2nd

Most teams that lose their two best players won't be picked this highly in any conference. But sometimes, tradition trumps conventional reality.

Call it the coaching, the system, or the players. Whatever "it" is, that quality seems to always keep Southern Illinois in the heat of the Missouri Valley Conference race.

The Dawgs are known for their tenacious defense and incredible home court advantage (92-6 in the past seven years). A casual fan might see their style as ugly, even boring, but it churns out winning teams every season.

Even in a very disappointing season for SIU, the Salukis finished 18-15 in 2007-08 and made the NIT. The team will need to buy into its system even more this season, especially considering all of the new players on the team.

Though big men Randal Falker and Matt Shaw graduated, SIU does have guard Bryan Mullins (6'2" Sr.) to direct the Dawgs. Mullins averaged almost 11 points per game last season, but he's known for his true point guard skills. He won the MVC Defensive Player of the Year award and also knows how to command the SIU offense (4.9 assists per game).

Though guard Wesley Clemmons (6'3" Sr.) also returns as a possible starter, it's the incoming recruits that has SIU excited.

The player coming in the most recognition might be guard Kevin Dillard (6'0" Fr.), who won Illinois' Mr. Basketball award (top high school player in the state). He should play a lot immediately and have a great mentor in Mullins to take over for next year.

The Salukis also have two talented prospects in freshman guards Ryan Hare (6'4" Fr.) and Torres Roundtree (6'4" Fr.). Both are scorers and should help the offensive side of the ball where SIU can sometimes struggle.

A conference championship might be determined by the amount of production the team can get from their post players. The Salukis have one holdover who has experience, forward Tony Boyle (6'8" Sr.). He's a big body that should rebound well and chip in some points close to hoop.

There isn't much else for depth other than forward Carlton Fay (6'8" So.) and Christian Cornelius (6'7" Jr.). If either player can make strides, that will go a long way towards winning another MVC title.

See the same theme for another MVC team: lots of talent, how quickly can they gel together? Considering what the Dawgs have done in the past, I wouldn't bet against them finishing on top yet again.

3. Illinois State

Preseason poll: 3rd

Picking Illinois State to finish ahead of Bradley makes my stomach churn a little. But, in the sense of fairness, I have pick where I legitimately think teams are going to finish.

Any discussion about the Redbirds must begin with guard Osiris Eldridge (6'3" Jr.). He was picked as the Missouri Valley Conference's Preseason Player of the Year and with good reason. "King O" can score at will from all over the court and also rebounds well from his position (5.7 rpg in 2007-08). Eldridge's on-the-court attitude always seems a bit arrogant (the mohawk haircut might have be part of it), but there's no denying that he's a great player.

Illinois State also returns two other major contributors from last season in guard Emmanuel Holloway (6'2" Sr.) and forward Dinma Odiakosa (6'8" So.). Holloway was a member of the All-Valley bench team and will need handle the point guard duties after Boo Richardson and Dom Johnson graduated.

Odiakosa returns for his second season as a solid interior player for the Redbirds. He averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. Odikosa will need to improve from the free throw line if he expects to make the next step in his game (49 percent).

If Illinois State has any major weakness, it is the fact that they are very thin on the interior. Outside of Odiakosa, only forward Brandon Sampay (6'8" Sr.). returns with much experience. Sampay did score in double figures four times last season and will need to have an even larger role in 2008-09.

Illinois State does have a few newcomers that should likely have an influence immediately. Transfer guard Champ Oguchi (6'6" Sr.) figures to start. Like many other power conference defections, Oguchi should finally get some major playing time with the Redbirds and show why he originally went to Oregon.

The rest of the team's roster has a series of recruits from Illinois and transfer players. We'll see who steps up and helps an already talented bunch in Normal, Ill.

Illinois State has been moving in the right direction since hiring Tim Jankovich before last season. The two rivalry War on I-74 games will have an added importance considering the potential of both Bradley and Illinois State.

(Too bad Bradley got the shaft from the MVC and will play the Peoria game when the students are on semester break.)

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.

5. Drake

Preseason poll: 4th

Drake escaped the world of Missouri Valley Conference mediocrity last season in a big way. The same type of success can't be expected again, but this team should still be pretty good overall.

The Bulldogs lost significant members of their 28-5 conference championship team. Start with former head coach Keno Davis, who deserted the program for a bigger offer at Providence. Arguably more important are the losses to graduation of three key players: MVC Player of the Year Adam Emmenecker, Leonard Houston and Klayton Korver.

Luckily for Drake, two of its best players from the Cinderella season do return. Guard Josh Young (6'1" Jr.) averaged 15.9 points per game last year and that will likely rise even higher in 2008-09. Outside of Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge, Young should be considered one of the top candidates for conference Player of the Year.

Forward Jonathan Cox (6'8" Sr.) should help alleviate some of the added pressure put on Young. "Bucky" averaged 12.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season. In addition to his rebounding ability, Cox shoots well from the line (77.8 percent) and beyond the arc (44 percent).

New head coach Mark Phelps will have to find others to fill out three spots in the lineup. Transfer forward Adam Templeton (6'5" Jr.) may be one of the more intriguing new faces in the Drake lineup. Templeton now is eligible after sitting out a year for transferring from UC Irvine. He averaged eight points per game in 2006-07 and should provide valuable Division I experience to the Bulldogs.

Drake will have a three player battle to fill Emmenecker's spot. Guards Josh Parker (6'0" So.) and Jacob Baryenbruch (6'0" Sr.) have experience with Drake's system. But, transfer guard Craig Stanley (5'11" Jr.) might be the best suited to initially hold down the point.

Maybe the most important factor in Drake's success or failure this season will be the depth provided by returning players. Forwards Brent Heemskerk (6'8" Sr.) and Bill Eaddy (6'5" Jr.) are two examples of men who will need to have a bigger role this season.

One great season can help recruiting and catapult a team from the dredges of a conference for a few years. Drake must hope that its 25-win season will do that and help build the program up to prominence again.

6. Northern Iowa

Preseason poll: 6th

Blending of new and old seems to be theme for the Missouri Valley Conference this year. Northern Iowa certainly fits that mold.

The undersized conference star center Eric Coleman is gone. Long range gunners Adam Viet and Jared Josten graduated. Luckily for the Panthers, an impressive front court duo returns to Cedar Falls.

Forward Adam Koch (6'8" Jr.) scored nearly eight points and six rebounds per game last season. He also got to the line 153 times, knocking in 78 percent of his free throw attempts. Center Jordan Eglseder (7'1" Jr.) may be even more important to Northern Iowa's success. Unlike many seven-footers that have graced the Valley in the past, Eglseder has good offensive skills. If he can stay away from injuries, he will improve again this year.

Even with big time talent down low, questions abound concerning the back court. Kwadzo Ahelegbe (6'0" So.) had to sit out last season with an injury. Ali Farokhmanesh (6'0" Jr.) and John Moran (6'1" Fr.) are newcomers to the team. Kerwin Dunham (6'6" So.) and Travis Brown (6'3" Sr.) contributed last season but will be expected to turn a corner and step into more important roles.

If Koch and Eglseder can stay on the floor, the Panthers will be okay. This aspect is a necessity with very little depth behind them. Northern Iowa will have an up and down season, with likely more downs if their smaller lineups are unable to rebound.