Valparaiso Crusaders
Horizon (26-7, 13-3)
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Valparaiso is back in the postseason for their third consecutive year. They have also won the Horizon League two years in a row. This year it came down to the wire as the Crusaders felt plenty of pressure from Detroit. Uncharacteristically, two of Valpo’s three conference losses came at home. The toughness shown on road will come in handy during the postseason and do not be surprised if this experienced group can at least make things interesting.
Big Wins: 11/18 at Kent State (88-83), 1/17 at Detroit (89-88), 2/23 Eastern Kentucky (82-60)
Bad Losses: 12/17 at Oakland (68-70), 1/2 Loyola (54-63), 1/30 at Youngstown State (68-80)
Coach: Bryce Drew (2 seasons at Valparaiso)
Why They Can Surprise:
For the most part this is the type of team one thinks of when they think of Valparaiso basketball. They have a roster full of potential three-point threats who can stretch the defense and are extremely efficient shooting the ball. The scoring starts with forward Ryan Broekhoff. The 6-7 senior knocks down 43.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and averages 15.9 points per game. Matt Kenney and Will Bogan both hover around the 40 percent mark when it comes to shooting from long range. LaVonte Dority has not been as consistent, but he is a very good all-around scorer who can create a spark off of the bench. Erik Buggs is on the floor more for his passing and Ben Boggs is mostly a defensive stalwart, but both are capable of putting up a few points. Even Indiana transfer Bobby Capobianco can step outside and shoot. With the Hoosiers he did the dirty work, but at Valpo he can do a bit more scoring and rebounding. However, he is still good at setting screens.
Why They Can Disappoint:
With 6-8 senior Kevin Van Wijk in the paint, this is not a particularly big team. However, thanks to Broekhoff and Capobianco, this is a pretty strong rebounding squad. Van Wijk is a great interior scorer who has opened up shooting lanes for the rest of the team, but he is not a shot blocker and there is where Valparaiso’s concerns lie on the defensive end. This is a team that will always play tough defense, but bigger and stronger teams with a quality post scorer or two will put an end to Valpo’s postseason crusade.
Probable Starters:
Erik Buggs, Senior, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 3.7 apg
Matt Kenney, Senior, Guard, 8.2 ppg, 3.0 apg
Will Bogan, Senior, Guard, 6.5 ppg, 1.4 apg
Ryan Broekhoff, Senior, Forward, 15.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg
Kevin Van Wijk, Senior, Forward, 12.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Ben Boggs, Senior, Guard, 5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Bobby Capobianco, Junior, Forward, 6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
LaVonte Dority, Junior, Guard, 9.0 ppg, 1.9 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.0 (67th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.5 (67, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.8 (7, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (109, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.6 (51, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.8 (37, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.2 (51, 3)
Rebound Margin: 4.3 (56, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.0 (97, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (237, 9)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
2012 NIT First Round loss to Miami
2011 CIT First Round loss to Iona
2008 CBI First Round win over Washington
2008 CBI Second Round loss to Houston
2004 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2003 NIT Opening round loss to Iowa
*all team stats through 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
