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Valparaiso Basketball: Valparaiso Crusaders 2015-16 Season Preview

By Bryce Bennett

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Valparaiso Crusaders

2014-2015 Record: 28-6 (13-3, Horizon)
Postseason: NCAA Tournament – Second Round

Expectations in Valparaiso, IN couldn’t be higher for a Valparaiso Crusaders team looking to improve upon a school record 28 victories from a season ago. Valpo feistily bowed out to Maryland last season in a competitive #4 seed vs #13 seed match-up in the tournament.

This season the Crusaders return virtually every player from last season and are primed to make a run in March. But are expectations too high for the Crusaders?

Can they replicate and build on a record-setting year in 2014-15? Take a look at some of the key players and games that will determine whether Valpo can live up to expectations as the “mid-major team to watch” this season.

 Newcomers

C – Derrik Smits
G – Shane Hammink (transfer from LSU)
G – Lexus Williams (injury derailed 2014-15 season)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 17 at Rhode Island – A top-four team in the A-10 this season, Rhode Island will give Valparaiso one of its first tests of the season. The Crusaders were not afraid about scheduling a difficult non-conference schedule.

Rhode Island presents an interesting match-up as they return many of their key pieces from a team that won 23 games last season.

Look for a defensive struggle in this one as both teams gave up less than 61 points per game last season. Another interesting variable in this one is that it is part of ESPN’s tip-off marathon and will be played at 10 am (EST) on ESPN 2.

Nov. 22 at Oregon – Here is Valparaiso’s chance to prove they’re worthy of a at-large bid. The Ducks project to a fringe top 25 team this season and if the Crusaders are able to go on the road in a Pac-12 environment and get the win, it will greatly improve their tournament aspirations (not considering an automatic bid).

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    • Expect contrasting styles in this match-up. Oregon will try to push the ball, while Valpo will want to slow it down and turn it into a defensive struggle. If Valpo is able to control the pace, expect them to be in it at the end. It will be interesting how the new 30 second shot clock will dictate this game.

    Will it force Valpo to speed up, or force the Ducks into poor shots and turnovers?

    Dec. 3 vs Belmont – Another differing styles match-up between two teams that project to be two of the best mid-majors this season.

    The Bruins, under long-time head coach Rick Byrd, will try to push the ball and attempt many three-pointers with a roster loaded with shooters (Belmont attempted 841 three-pointers last season, top 5 in the country).

    Perimeter defense and forcing turnovers will help Valpo in this one. Expect a fabulous mid-major “Bracket Buster” in northern Indiana game in less than a month.

    Key Players

    Alec Peters – The Horizon Conference Preseason Player of the Year will be the driving force of Valparaiso this season. He’s been called the mid-major “Kyle Wiltjer“.

    Is he worthy of all the hype? Yes, Peters is really, really good. In an exhibition game against nationally-ranked Division II team University of Indianapolis (I know, DII), Peters netted 34 points on 10-17 shooting. He’s a match-up nightmare, even for Power 5 teams.

    Standing at 6’7″, Peters is athletic enough to drive the ball on opponents, but also skilled enough to drain threes if left open. He’s a must-watch player this season for anyone wanting to check-out mid-major talent.

    Vashil Fernandez – The big man in the middle will be charged with maintaining Valpo’s stifling defense this season. The athletic 6’10” center is Valpo’s main shot blocker and rim protecter.

    Valpo will feed ball-handlers and drivers into his presence and hope his rim protecting ability will make it impossible to get a clean shot off. Fernandez can improve on the offensive end, but mostly will be relied on for dunks, put-backs and clean-up work underneath.

    More from Horizon League

    Season Outlook

    Expect the Valparaiso Crusaders to be the Horizon League representative this season in March. They are one of the deepest and most talented teams amongst mid-majors, but also in the country. Playing with expectations is always tough, but this program is used to it.

    More pressing is a non-conference schedule that is tough. Road games against Power 5 teams such as Oregon and Oregon State will offer Valpo a chance to showcase their team on a national stage, but games against talented mid-major teams such as Iona, at Rhode Island, Belmont (home and away) and at in-state rivals Indiana State and Ball State range from mid-major showdowns to difficult trap games.

    If they get through this unscathed with only a loss or two, expect an at-large bid to be in play.