The set-up: The 5-5 Indiana State Sycamores take on 8-2 Valparaiso on Saturday night. The Sycamores appeared to be heating up with three straight wins but struggled at both ends of the floor in a 77-59 defeat to Western Kentucky this past Sunday. The Crusaders have been a Horizon power for awhile now and most believe that trend will continue. The Crusaders have won five of six on their way to an 8-2 record, capped off by an 84-81 victory at Missouri State in their last outing.

Indiana State: The Sycamores were 15-17 last year and lost leading scorer Brown (15.5 & 4.9) along with the 6-6 Smith (10.0 & 5.2) from last year's team. Brown's backcourt partner Scott returns and is the team's lone double digit scorer in the early going, upping his average from 14.6 PPG last season to 19.5 PPG, while adding 5.5 RPG. The team's leading rebounder last year was 6-1 guard Clemons but he's just behind Scott so far this year at 5.3 RPG plus his 5.3 APG leads the team (Clemons averages 8.0 PPG).

Valparaiso: The Crusaders won 30 games last year and the team's top-three scorers all return. However, head coach Bryce Drew left for Vandy, although the school acted quickly and hired from within, promoting assistant Matt Lottich. The key returnee is the 6-9 Alec Peters, who is off to a great start in his senior season, averaging 25.3 & 9.2. A veteran guard duo complements him well, with senior Hammick (14.6 & 4.8) and junior Walker (10.9 & 5.4).

Indiana State is not in Valpo's class and the Crusader should win, handily Make Valpo a 10* play.