2017–18 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball team represented Valparaiso University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Crusaders, led by second-year head coach Matt Lottich, played their home games at the Athletics–Recreation Center as first-year members of the Missouri Valley Conference. They finished the season 15–17, 6–12 in MVC play to finish in last place. They lost in the first round of the Missouri Valley Tournament to Missouri State.

2017–18 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
2017–18 record15–17 (6–12 MVC)
Head coachMatt Lottich (2nd season)
Assistant coaches
  • Luke Gore
  • David Ragland
  • Emanuel Dildy
Home arenaAthletics–Recreation Center
2017–18 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Loyola–Chicago †15–3 .833  32–6  .842
Southern Illinois11–7 .611  20–13  .606
Illinois State10–8 .556  18–15  .545
Drake10–8 .556  17–17  .500
Bradley9–9 .500  20–13  .606
Indiana State8–10 .444  13–18  .419
Missouri State7–11 .389  18–15  .545
Evansville7–11 .389  17–15  .531
Northern Iowa7–11 .389  16–16  .500
Valparaiso6–12 .333  15–17  .469
† 2018 MVC Tournament winner

Previous season

The Crusaders finished the 2016–17 season 24–9, 14–4 in Horizon League play to finish in a tie for the Horizon League regular season championship.[1] As the No. 2 seed in the Horizon League Tournament, they lost to Milwaukee in the quarterfinals.[2] They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament where they lost in the first round to Illinois.[3]

The season marked the Crusaders' final season as a member of the Horizon League as the school announced on May 25, 2017 that it would be joining the Missouri Valley Conference effective July 1, 2017.[4]

Offseason

2017 recruiting class
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Parker Hazen
SF		 Columbia City, Indiana Columbia City High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 188 lb (85 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 78
Marten Linssen
PF		 Düsseldorf, Germany Bayer Giants Leverkusen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (110 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Mileek McMillan
PF		 Merrillville, IN Merrillville High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

    Source[5]

    Preseason

    In the conference's preseason poll, the Crusaders were picked to finish in sixth place in the MVC.[6] Senior guard Tevonn Walker was named to the preseason All-MVC second team.[6]

    Roster
    2017–18 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    F 0 Parker Hazen 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrColumbia City HS Columbia City, IN
    G 1 Micah Bradford 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)155 lb (70 kg) SoBradley–Bourbonnais HS Bradley, IL
    G 2 Tevonn Walker 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)210 lb (95 kg) SrVanier College Montreal, Canada
    G 3 Max Joseph 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)210 lb (95 kg) SrVanier College Montreal, Canada
    G 4 Bakari Evelyn 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg) RS SoSouthfield Christian School/Nebraska Detroit, MI
    G/F 5 Marcus Golder 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)195 lb (88 kg) RS SoClackamas HS/North Idaho College Portland, OR
    G/F 10 Joe Burton 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS JrAtascosita HS/Oklahoma State Porter, TX
    F 12 Martin Linssen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg) FrSchloss-Gymnasium Benrath Dusseldorf, Germany
    C 14 Jaume Sorolla 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)245 lb (111 kg) SoSunrise Christian Academy (KS) Tortosa, Spain
    C 21 Derrik Smits 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS SoZionsville HS Zionsville, IN
    F 23 Mileek McMillan 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg) FrMerrillville HS Merrillville, IN
    G/F 33 John Kiser 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoNoblesville HS Noblesville, IN
    G/F 35 Ryan Fazekas 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) JrMarquette Catholic HS/Providence Chesterton, IN
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    • Luke Gore (Bethel)
    • David Ragland (Southern Indiana)
    • Emanuel Dildy (Eastern Illinois)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster

    Schedule and results
    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    Nov 2, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Robert Morris (IL) W 117–69 
    		 17 – Bradford  10 – Hazen  6 – Joseph  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,134)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Nov 2, 2017*
    7:00 pm    		 at Chicago State W 77–42 
    		  –     –     –    Jones Convocation Center 
    Chicago, IL
    Non-conference regular season
    Nov 10, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 North Park W 88–46  1–0
    		  20 – Bradford  10 – Golder  3 – Walker  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,682)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Nov 13, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Trinity Christian W 83–46  2–0
    		  18 – Walker  9 – Kiser  4 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,545)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Nov 15, 2017*
    7:00 pm, FSMW    		 at SIU Edwardsville W 94–69  3–0
    		  22 – Walker  5 – Golder  7 – Evelyn  Vadalabene Center (1,353)
    Edwardsville, IL
    Nov 19, 2017*
    3:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Southeastern Louisiana
    Savannah Invitational    		 W 83–50  4–0
    		  18 – Burton  6 – Smits  4 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,651)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Nov 21, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Samford
    Savannah Invitational    		 W 88–67  5–0
    		  26 – Walker  9 – Walker  6 – Joseph  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,259)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Nov 24, 2017*
    6:30 pm    		 vs. Kent State
    Savannah Invitational    		 W 77–67  6–0
    		  17 – Walker  7 – Linssen  7 – Evelyn  Savannah Civic Center 
    Savannah, GA
    Nov 25, 2017*
    6:30 pm    		 vs. UNC Wilmington
    Savannah Invitational    		 W 79–70  7–0
    		  30 – Evelyn  8 – Tied  1 – 3 tied  Savannah Civic Center (547)
    Savannah, GA
    Nov 28, 2017*
    7:00 pm    		 Utah State
    MW–MVC Challenge    		 W 72–65  8–0
    		  25 – Walker  9 – Walker  4 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,949)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Dec 7, 2017*
    5:30 PM, FS1    		 at No. 21 Purdue L 50–80  8–1
    		  19 – Burton  10 – Sorolla  2 – Bradford  Mackey Arena (14,232)
    West Lafayette, IN
    Dec 9, 2017*
    1:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Ball State L 70–71  8–2
    		  17 – Burton  11 – Joseph  6 – Evelyn  Worthen Arena (5,009)
    Muncie, IN
    Dec 14, 2017*
    7:00 PM, BTN    		 at Northwestern L 50–84  8–3
    		  16 – Burton  6 – Tied  3 – Bradford  Allstate Arena (5,299)
    Rosemont, IL
    Dec 18, 2017*
    9:00 pm    		 at Santa Clara W 76–68  9–3
    		  14 – Burton  6 – Kiser  4 – 4 tied  Leavey Center (1,305)
    Santa Clara, CA
    Dec 20, 2017*
    9:00 pm    		 at UC Riverside L 60–73  9–4
    		  15 – Joseph  7 – Smits  3 – Tied  SRC Center (454)
    Riverside, CA
    MVC regular season
    Dec 28, 2017
    6:00 pm, NBCSC    		 at Indiana State L 64–73  9–5
    (0–1)    		  19 – Tied  7 – Joseph  2 – Linssen  Hulman Center (3,269)
    Terre Haute, IN
    Dec 31, 2017
    3:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Missouri State L 50–67  9–6
    (0–2)    		  13 – Joseph  5 – Joseph  4 – Walker  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,440)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Jan 3, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Bradley L 71–80  9–7
    (0–3)    		  25 – Walker  7 – Walker  3 – Tied  Carver Arena (5,294)
    Peoria, IL
    Jan 6, 2018
    3:00 pm, NBCSC    		 Southern Illinois W 83–72  10–7
    (1–3)    		  17 – Tied  8 – Walker  6 – Bradford  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,966)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Jan 10, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Drake W 77–60  11–7
    (2–3)    		  26 – Walker  6 – Walker  8 – Joseph  Knapp Center (2,710)
    Des Moines, IA
    Jan 13, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Northern Iowa L 76–81  11–8
    (2–4)    		  19 – Evelyn  6 – Golder  9 – Bradford  McLeod Center (4,707)
    Cedar Falls, IA
    Jan 17, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Missouri State L 57–64  11–9
    (2–5)    		  12 – Golder  7 – Joseph  3 – Bradford  JQH Arena (4,876)
    Springfield, MO
    Jan 21, 2018
    3:00 pm, ESPNU    		 Loyola–Chicago L 54–70  11–10
    (2–6)    		  19 – Evelyn  6 – Tied  2 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (4,040)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Jan 24, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Evansville L 65–75  11–11
    (2–7)    		  17 – Evelyn  6 – 3 tied  4 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,219)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Jan 27, 2018
    9:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Illinois State L 65–76  11–12
    (2–8)    		  20 – Evelyn  7 – Kiser  4 – Evelyn  Redbird Arena (5,024)
    Bloomington, IL
    Jan 31, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Indiana State W 69–63  12–12
    (3–8)    		  20 – Evelyn  6 – Smits  2 – 3 tied  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,228)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Feb 3, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Southern Illinois W 65–59  12–13
    (3–9)    		  16 – Walker  9 – Evelyn  5 – Golder  SIU Arena (5,694)
    Carbondale, IL
    Feb 7, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Evansville W 63–59  12–14
    (3–10)    		  15 – Tied  6 – Kiser  4 – Evelyn  Ford Center (3,425)
    Evansville, IN
    Feb 11, 2018
    3:00 pm, ESPNU    		 Illinois State W 74–58  13–14
    (4–10)    		  22 – Evelyn  9 – Kiser  5 – Tied  Athletics–Recreation Center (3,330)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Feb 14, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 at Loyola–Chicago L 71–80  13–15
    (4–11)    		  18 – Walker  8 – Kiser  5 – Walker  Joseph J. Gentile Arena (2,091)
    Chicago, IL
    Feb 17, 2018
    8:00 pm, NBCSC    		 Bradley W 77–64  14–15
    (5–11)    		  16 – Golder  7 – Golder  6 – Joseph  Athletics–Recreation Center (3,021)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Feb 20, 2018
    8:00 pm, CBSSN    		 Northern Iowa L 63–68  14–16
    (5–12)    		  19 – Evelyn  5 – Golder  3 – Golder  Athletics–Recreation Center (2,071)
    Valparaiso, IN
    Feb 24, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Drake W 69–64  15–16
    (6–12)    		  22 – Smits  9 – Tied  4 – Evelyn  Athletics–Recreation Center (4,025)
    Valparaiso, IN
    MVC Tournament
    Mar 1, 2018
    8:30 pm, ESPN3    		 (10) vs. (7) Missouri State
    First round    		 L 79–83  15–17
    		  25 – Walker  6 – Evelyn  5 – Bradford  Scottrade Center (4,852)
    St. Louis, MO
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Source[7][8][9]

    References
    1. "Oakland and Valparaiso once again top seeds at Motor City Madness | Horizon League". www.horizonleague.org. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    2. "Milwaukee upsets Valpo in Horizon League quarterfinals". FOX6Now.com. 2017-03-05. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    3. Press, Associated. "Illinois defeats Valparaiso 82–57 in NIT opener". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    4. Osipoff, Michael. "Valparaiso makes it official, accepts Missouri Valley Conference invitation". Post-Tribune. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    5. "Verbal Commits". www.verbalcommits.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    6. "Missouri State Picked to Win MVC Men's Basketball". Retrieved 2017-10-24.
    7. "2017–18 Purdue Basketball Schedule: What We Know". Hammer and Rails. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    8. "Breaking: Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge matchups announced". Mountain West Connection. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
    9. "Men's Basketball Schedule". valpoathletics.com. Valparaiso University Athletics. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
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