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Valparaiso Basketball: 2017-18 preview for the Crusaders

By Tristan Freeman

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 17: Tevonn Walker
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 17: Tevonn Walker /
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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 20: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Valparaiso Crusaders directs his team during a timeout during the second round of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 20, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 20: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Valparaiso Crusaders directs his team during a timeout during the second round of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 20, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Expectations for the season

The Missouri Valley has been one of the better mid-major conferences in all of Division I basketball. Last season the conference was ranked No.12 overall while the Horizon was No. 19. Of course, Wichita State and Illinois State were responsible for anything good coming from the league.

The irony is that Oakland from the Horizon is vastly superior than any team in either league, and received some top 25 preseason votes. It was a good time for the Crusaders to leave.

Last season the Valley only had three players returning who scored more than 15 ppg, and overall the league doesn’t score much as a whole. That should help soften the blow of losing Peters and Hammink.

Valparaiso has all the tools to make some noise in their first season in the Valley. They have a potential star player in Walker, capable frontcourt players, and former power five athletes who could excel against inferior competition. How Evelyn and Burton perform could be the difference between finishing in the top half of the league and ending up near the bottom.

Next: MVC 2017-18 predictions

This season will be a learning experience for the program to get adjusted to the new league. There are now powerhouse teams with the Shockers gone, and Valparaiso had the name ID and recognition to get more quality transfers — such as Providence transfer Ryan Fazekas, who’ll have two years with Valparaiso after sitting out this season. If the team has a good overall showing in year one, then fans should be very happy.