Peoria, Ill. -- Connor O'Brien has been named to the Preseason All-Conference team as the Missouri Valley Conference has rolled out its preseason rankings and honors. 

This is the second-straight year that O'Brien has been named to the Preseason All-Conference  Team. O'Brien is coming off a great 2022 campaign where he hit .392 on the season with 10 home runs and 44 runs batted in (RBIs) to lead the Braves. 

The senior was also recently highlighted as the 37th-best first basemen in the country, according to D1Baseball. 

This is the fourth-straight season that the Bradley Braves have landed at #5 in the rankings. 

Bradley returns seven position starters and multiple pitchers from last season's team. The Braves finished with a 20-29 record overall and an 11-10 record in league play. After a season that was riddled with injuries, the Bradley Braves are eager for a chance to show the MVC what they can do with a healthy roster. 

The Southern Illinois Salukis was tabbed as the favorite to win the conference with 93 total points and six first-place votes. 

The Valley welcomes newcomers Belmont, Murray State and UIC to the conference this season. 

Preseason Rankings

Southern Illinois (6)
Missouri State (3)
Evansville
Indiana State (1)
Bradley
Belmont
Illinois State
UIC
Murray State
Valparaiso

Bradley will open their season Friday, February 17, 2023, on the road at Louisiana-Monroe.