Valparaiso Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Crusaders

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AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 21: Erik Buggs #15 of the Valparaiso Crusaders drives for a shot attempt in the second half against the ms during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at at The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 21, 2013 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Expectations

With an impressive influx of talent, Missouri State is the early favorite to take the MVC crown this season. After their Arch Madness title last year, Bradley should also be back near the top of the conference, with recent Cinderella team Loyola up there as well. Southern Illinois reshuffles their roster with a head coaching change and could be the team that keeps Valpo from another last-place finish.

With all the offseason changes to this roster, nobody expects much from Valpo moving forward. If Javon Freeman-Liberty and Daniel Sackey can take big steps forward in their sophomore seasons, then this team could absolutely be a surprise in the conference. The biggest challenge will be how the Crusaders fare down low, replacing their two departing centers with some far less experienced big men.

This team will certainly play much different from last season, especially with a few new shooters and less emphasis on points in the paint. The unheralded talent on this team will need to gel if this team is going to challenge the MVC this season. Escaping the dreaded Thursday game at Arch Madness is still a great goal for this team, but can these sophomores and seniors get the job done?

Next. Preseason top-25 power rankings for 2019-20. dark

Expectations are low, and it’s impossible to see this team competing at the top of the MVC with all of these offseason changes. Year three in the MVC will continue the growing pains for Lottich and his Crusaders and I expect them to struggle this season. They were picked ninth in the MVC preseason polls and I think that’s exactly where you’ll see them at the beginning of March.