Week 5 Games

[JustPlainNormal]

Hopping on too late for Wednesday games but here are picks for this weekend:

Illinois State/Valpo Split
Ramblers/Braves. Split

[Milanmiracle]

Wardle didn't have these guys prepared to compete. Completely overlooked the Redbirds and got clapped.

MVC is a solid league, and anything can happen in conference play. My guess is the outcome will not be the same in Peoria.

As a general rule I’d agree with you, but Valpo is bad. Like 1 D1 win bad. If they don’t split with Illinois State, I don’t see another win. The wheels have fallen off. Donovan Clay’s Dad is tweeting during the game about “ let Donovan go at them.....#smh facepalm angry”. The 3rd leading scorer just opted out for the season today. With the team shooting 41% from the field and 27% from 3, getting out rebounded by almost 8 a game another win could be quite difficult.

[bleach]

What's up with Bradley? Birds beat them then Loyola pounds them. Injuries?

[bradley_townie]

What's up with Bradley? Birds beat them then Loyola pounds them. Injuries?

Bradley is getting exposed without Henry and Boya. Wardle and staff recruited a very raw backcourt in a league where guards win you championships. They are trying to run their offense through Childs, who has become way too comfortable dribbling it out and shooting jumpers at the whiff of a double team. Ville was supposed to be better than Kennel but is way streakier and has seemingly lost his shot. Nolan can shoot but can’t handle the ball. East doesn’t give you much in terms of offense and is a very average to below average defender. Kingsby gives you quickness and spurts of decent on the ball defense and not much else. Way too many turnovers.

Bradley could have the worst guards in the league.

[goramblers2011]

What's up with Bradley? Birds beat them then Loyola pounds them. Injuries?

Bradley is getting exposed without Henry and Boya. Wardle and staff recruited a very raw backcourt in a league where guards win you championships. They are trying to run their offense through Childs, who has become way too comfortable dribbling it out and shooting jumpers at the whiff of a double team. Ville was supposed to be better than Kennel but is way streakier and has seemingly lost his shot. Nolan can shoot but can’t handle the ball. East doesn’t give you much in terms of offense and is a very average to below average defender. Kingsby gives you quickness and spurts of decent on the ball defense and not much else. Way too many turnovers.

Bradley could have the worst guards in the league.

Bradley is essentially out of the running for a regular season championship. But, assuming Boya/Henry come back healthy and get a few games under their belts, I think they'll be right there in contention in St. Louis. They are offensively challenged and their guards are lacking, but their defense is tough as nails and can keep them in most games.

[Majik45]

What's up with Bradley? Birds beat them then Loyola pounds them. Injuries?

Starting 7'1 Center Ari Boya has been out since UNI games, so basically all of Valley play. He re-injured a foot, and is week to week. He's not much offensively, but is an elite shot blocker on the back end and great rim protector.

Jashon Henry 6'6 PF missed all 3 games this week as he suffered a concussion in practice right before the ISUr game. He is in discussion for 6th man of the year, and Bradley's energy/hustle guy. Was averaging over 11ppg and shooting 60% from the field.

Without those two, we've lost all depth in the front court, and Bradley's guards are under performing right now in a guard dominated league.