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.)