First round: Lost to Michigan State, 65-38

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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

No	Name	Position	Height	Weight	Class	Rebounds	Assists	Points
-	Chris Sparks	G	-	-	-	0.7	0.3	0.2
3	Rob Kesler	G	5-10	150	FR	0.0	0.1	0.0
10	Dwayne Toatley	G	6-2	190	JR	3.2	1.5	5.6
11	Milo Stovall	G	6-3	190	SO	3.6	1.9	9.9
12	Greg Tonagel	G	6-3	192	SO	1.6	0.8	3.4
14	Ivan Vujic	C	6-11	255	SR	5.6	1.7	10.6
15	Lubos Barton	G	6-8	223	SO	5.9	3.2	11.4
20	Marko Punda	G	6-6	205	JR	1.0	0.1	1.8
21	Jared Nuness	G	5-10	155	SO	1.5	2.3	5.3
22	Raitis Grafs	C	6-10	215	FR	5.8	0.7	8.2
23	Tarrance Price	G	6-3	180	SR	2.0	1.1	5.1
25	Aaron Thomason	F	6-7	232	SR	1.5	0.2	1.4
32	Jason Jenkins	F	6-8	240	JR	3.1	1.5	7.2
50	Antti Nikkila	C	6-11	237	FR	1.8	0.2	2.6
52	Phil Wille	C	6-9	240	FR	0.4	0.2	0.3