MVC Basketball: Way-too-early preseason power rankings for 2019-20

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Ja'Shon Henry #22 of the Bradley Braves runs on to the court with his teammates after beating the Northern Iowa Panthers during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bradley Braves beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 57-54 to win the MVC Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Matt Lottich of the Valparaiso Crusaders looks on during his team’s game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 28, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Crusaders defeated the Rebels 72-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

10) Valparaiso Crusaders

Valpo had an underwhelming ’18-19 campaign, finishing 15-18 overall and tied for 8th place in the MVC. Despite that, there was reason for optimism for the Crusaders heading into the offseason.

Valpo was scheduled to have nearly everyone returning, aside from Deion Lavender, but head coach Matt Lottich finds himself in scramble mode after a flurry of transfers decimated the Crusaders roster.

The Crusaders have gone from contender to full on rebuild mode with the defections of All-Freshman standout Javon Freeman, starting center Derrik Smits, and guards Markus Golder and Bakari Evelyn.

Lottich will rely heavily on 6’7 swingman Ryan Fazekas, who averaged just under a dozen points per game last season, in addition to two now eligible transfers who sat out last season in Eron Gordon and Nick Robinson.

The Crusaders will also look for early contributions from a recruiting class that includes talented 6’7 wing Donovan Clay and a trio of international signees. They have two scholarships still open and the possibility exists they will search for some veteran help via the junior college or grad transfer route.