The Valparaiso men’s basketball team has been picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League for the 2008-09 season, according to polling of the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Cleveland State is the league’s preseason favorite, receiving 40 of a possible 49 first-place votes.  Wright State was tabbed second, while UIC has been picked third and Green Bay fourth.  2007-08 league champion Butler comes in fifth, while Milwaukee is picked just ahead of the Crusaders in sixth.  Loyola, Detroit and Youngstown State round out the polling.

The Crusaders return three senior starters and five letterwinners in all from last year’s squad, which finished the 2007-08 campaign 22-14 and advanced to the second round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.