Valparaiso Crusaders (23-13, 12-6)
Projected starting five:
Jr. G/F Ryan Broekhoff
Jr. G Erik Buggs
Jr. G Matt Kenney
Jr. F Richie Edwards
Jr. F Kevin Van Wijk
Important departures:
Brandon Wood: 16.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
Cory Johnson: 14.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Howard Little: 9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Michael Rogers: 5.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg
The Crusaders lost several key players, including several starters. Cory Johnson, Howard Little and Michael Rogers all graduated. In addition, Brandon Wood, who was an All-Horizon League First Team honoree graduated following his junior season of eligibility and transferred to Michigan State.
% returning scoring and rebounding:
Scoring: 39 percent
Rebounding: 49 percent
Two starters return for the Crusaders: Ryan Broekhoff and Erik Buggs.
Additions:
Will Bogan is a transfer from Ole Miss who is eligible to play immediately for the Crusaders. Bogan will play guard. Ben Boggs is a transfer from Virginia Tech who will join the team in the second half of the season and play guard. Bobby Capobianco is a transfer from Indiana, but he will not play this season because of NCAA transfer regulations. One-star recruit Richie Edwards is a Juco transfer who will play forward for the Crusaders. Vashil Fernandez is a freshman forward from Jamaica who will strengthen the Crusaders’ inside game. The eligibility of Dino Jakolis, a one-star recruit from Croatia, is still uncertain.
Schedule highlights:
Valparaiso’s biggest nonconference matchup is a matchup against Ohio State. In Horizon League play, Valparaiso faces a tough three-game stretch during which they will face Green Bay, Milwaukee and Detroit.
