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Bradley returning production for 2026-27

Da Coach

Da Coach

Moderator
Staff member
With losing 4 players to graduation, and 6 more to the transfer portal, Bradley has lost 4 of their 5 starters, their top 6 scorers, and 8 of their top 9 scorers.
The only returning players for 2026-27 who scored any points this past season are Timoty van der Knaap (220 total points) and Dietrich Richardson (41 total points).
The three other returning players, Gus Rugaard, Gustavo Guimaraes, and Jackson Seastrunk did not score any points.

Out of a team total 2,560 points in 2025-26, Bradley is losing 2,299 points or 89.8% of their scoring.
Each year, there are a few teams, especially after coaching changes, that have to replace an entire roster, but that has to be the most in Bradley history. And usually a team, that goes through a total rebuild is not going to achieve great success the following season, though Illinois was an exception making it to the Final Four with a near-complete roster rebuild. Let's hope Coach Wardle and staff can accomplish it, but to do that, Bradley needs more scorers!
 
I think we need more bigs at this point. We literally have 2 on the roster. PG, pure shooter, stretch 4 and 2 bigs is how I would fill out the final 5. Still needing a Gus Rugaard explanation on why he is still taking up a scholarship. Great kid but still a head scratcher. Are we paying NIL money to him? I just don’t see how we waste a scholarship annually and use budget on a walk-on. Help!
 
Bradley does have a 6'11" redshirting freshman post player, a returning 6'9" forward, and two incoming, experienced jucos who are 6'8" or taller. And I am confident the coaches will land at least a couple more big men including one more "5" with D1 experience
But note that last year's Drake team, this year's Belmont and UNI teams, and many previous championship teams in the MVC have won without a quality "5"or even a true center on their roster. So I'd rather have good, strong rebounding guards and forwards, and good shooters than another 7-footer who averages 2.7 points, and 1.9 rebounds per game.
 
Da Coach said:
With losing 4 players to graduation, and 6 more to the transfer portal, Bradley has lost 4 of their 5 starters, their top 6 scorers, and 8 of their top 9 scorers.
The only returning players for 2026-27 who scored any points this past season are Timoty van der Knaap (220 total points) and Dietrich Richardson (41 total points).
The three other returning players, Gus Rugaard, Gustavo Guimaraes, and Jackson Seastrunk did not score any points.

Out of a team total 2,560 points in 2025-26, Bradley is losing 2,299 points or 89.8% of their scoring.
Each year, there are a few teams, especially after coaching changes, that have to replace an entire roster, but that has to be the most in Bradley history. And usually a team, that goes through a total rebuild is not going to achieve great success the following season, though Illinois was an exception making it to the Final Four with a near-complete roster rebuild. Let's hope Coach Wardle and staff can accomplish it, but to do that, Bradley needs more scorers!
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I wouldn't classify Illinois as having been a near complete rebuild. They brought back 2 starters, 2 role players. 3 of the 4 that had significant minutes the year before. So in the rotation they only had to add 3-4 players. We are only bringing back 1 role player.
 
Kososaur said:
A good power forward is a great replacement for a center, especially for mid majors
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Ding ding ding!
Get a 6' 8" beast with size and athleticism, and ability to rebound and that should be enough in this league.
Timo can board we know that, but he's not a rock solid shut-down defender in the paint. We need that - we may already have that with one of the JUCO guys.
 
LittleBrave said:
Ding ding ding!
Get a 6' 8" beast with size and athleticism, and ability to rebound and that should be enough in this league.
Timo can board we know that, but he's not a rock solid shut-down defender in the paint. We need that - we may already have that with one of the JUCO guys.
Click to expand...
After watching the JUCO kids highlights, I’d say this describes Thornbrue to a T. He might be who I’m most excited for, honestly.
 
yes
Thornbrue often was CSI's biggest man on the floor defending opponents
centers who were 6-10, 6-11..and doing a pretty good job
Their only other big guys averaged only a little over 1-12 min per game
 
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