Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Every Missouri Valley team’s most successful season since 2000

By Shea Irish

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Fred Van Vleet #23 and Cleanthony Early #11 of the Wichita State Shockers celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 70-66 during the West Regional Final of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Fred Van Vleet #23 and Cleanthony Early #11 of the Wichita State Shockers celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 70-66 during the West Regional Final of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Valparaiso Crusaders (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Valparaiso Crusaders (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Valparaiso Beacons

Year: 2019-20

Record: 19-16 (9-9)

NCAA Tournament Results: Did not make it.

Over a five-year span from 2012-17, Valparaiso won 126 games and made two trips to the NCAA Tournament. That span took place while they were still in the Horizon League, before transitioning to the MVC in the 2017-18 season.

Head Coach: Matt Lottich

Notable Players:

Javon Freeman-Liberty 6’4” SO (19.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.2 SPG):

-The 2020 MVC 1st-Team Selection would move on to DePaul and average 21.7 PPG this past season.

Ryan Fazekas 6’8” SR (10.6 PPG, 49.5 3-PT%)

Donovan Clay 6’7” FR (9.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG):

-He transferred to Missouri State for the 2021-22 season.

Season Summary

In just the third season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Valparaiso created a memorable run to the Conference Tournament Championship game. Finishing the regular season at just .500, they entered the tournament as a 7 seed.

After upsetting 2 seed Loyola Chicago in OT and then beating Missouri State in the semifinals, they were just one win away from taking home the Valley Championship. Bradley would eventually put an end to those hopes, sealing the Braves’ second straight ‘Arch Madness’ title.

Another Season Worth Honorable Mention: A member of the Missouri Valley for just five seasons, Valparaiso has yet to finish above .500 in conference play. From the storied playing days of Bryce Drew to the recent stretch in the Horizon League mentioned above, Valparaiso is a Mid-Major with plenty of history and they will eventually establish themselves as a more competitive team in the Valley.