OUTLOOK First round: Lost to Michigan State, 65-38
While being a No. 16 seed in the Midwest, Valparaiso offers a challenge that is a weakness for top-seeded Michigan State: The Crusaders are a big team that can score inside.
The Crusaders need to utilize their size advantage. They were No. 1 in the Mid-Continent Conference in blocked shots and in scoring defense. Sophomore Lubos Barton is regarded as one of the young stars from his homeland of Croatia. He spent the entire summer playing international ball and impressed a great number of NBA scouts. But he came back and had somewhat of a sophomore jinx. Coach Homer Drew feels he's just a tired player, someone who has been playing for 18 months straight.
Another important player is Ivan Vujic, a lefty who is strong inside. Raitis Grafs is a highly skilled freshman. Three Valparaiso players received preseason all-conference accolades, but two of them,Vujic and Milos Stovall, come off the bench. Stovall, a guard, was the conference MVP last season. Valpo's turnovers have been cut down with them coming off the bench.
The key player is Barton, who is a poor man's Wally Szczerbiak. Valparaiso needs to keep it a halfcourt game against Michigan State. If the Crusaders play a 94-foot game, it will be over by halftime. If they keep the score in the 60s, play inside-out basketball and rebound, they can keep the game close. -- Tim McCormick, ESPN
ROSTER
PROBABLE STARTERS |
G -- Lubos Barton (6-8, So., 11.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.2 apg)
F -- Jason Jenkins (6-8, Jr., 7.5, 3.2, 1.6)
C -- Raitis Grafs (6-10, Fr., 8.3, 5.7, 0.7)
G -- Dwayne Toatley (6-2, Jr., 5.6, 3.1, 1.5)
G -- Jared Nuness (5-10, So., 5.3, 1.5, 2.3)
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TOP RESERVES |
C -- Ivan Vujic (6-11, Sr., 10.8, 5.5, 1.7)
G -- Milo Stovall (6-3, So., 9.9, 3.7, 2.0)
G -- Tarrance Price (6-3, Sr., 4.9, 1.9, 1.1)
C -- Antti Nikkila (6-11, Fr., 2.5, 1.7, 0.2)
F -- Aaron Thomason (6-7, Sr., 1.4, 1.5, 0.2)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 16, Midwest, Automatic
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 5
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-4 (.333)
Final Four Appearances: 0
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: Regional semifinals (1998
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: NR
Final Associated Press ranking: NR
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 211
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 174
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS (0-0)
(Opponents ranking reflects ranking on game day)
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Overall Record: 2-4 (.333)
1999--Fifteenth seed in South Region
Lost to Maryland in first round, 82-60
1998--Thirteenth seed in Midwest Region
Defeated Mississippi in first round, 70-69
Defeated Florida State in second round, 83-77 (OT)
Lost to Rhode Island in regional semifinal, 74-68
1997--Twelfth seed in West Region
Lost to Boston College in first round, 73-66
1996--Fourteenth seed in West Region
Lost to Arizona in first round, 90-51
Record by Region:
In East: 0-0 (.000)
In South/Southeast: 0-1 (.000)
In Midwest: 2-1 (.667)
In West: 0-2 (.000)
Record by Seed:
As a 12th seed: 0-1 (.000)
As a 13th seed: 2-1 (.667)
As a 14th seed: 0-1 (.000)
As a 15th seed: 0-1 (.000)
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