VALPO (0-4) at INDIANA STATE (3-2)

WHEN: Thursday, December 9 - 7:05 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET)

WHERE: Hulman Center, Terre Haute, Indiana

RADIO: WEFM (95.9, Michigan City), WVUR-FM (95.1, Valparaiso) - Todd Ickow and Baron Brendel announcing.

TV: None

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Homer Drew, who has a career record of 523-323 in his 28th season and a record at Valpo of 254-201 in his 16th season. Indiana State is led by Royce Waltman, who has a career mark of 289-198 in his 18th season and a record at ISU of 100-112 in his 8th season.

SERIES RECORD: Indiana State leads 50-29
LAST MEETING: 2003-04 - Valpo won 59-53 on Dec. 8, 2003 in Valparaiso.

Valpo will look to get into the win column on Thursday when it plays a road game against Indiana State in Terre Haute beginning at 7:05 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET).

The Crusaders (0-4) are coming off a loss to 9th-ranked Duke on Saturday in Chicago's United Center. The Sycamores (3-2), winners of two straight, were 76-57 winners over Eastern Illinois on Saturday in Terre Haute. ISU, which is 3-0 at home, was narrowly defeated (56-52) by Indiana Nov. 23 in Bloomington.

Valpo and ISU have met each of the last three seasons with Valpo winning all three. Last season, the Crusaders bested the Sycamores 59-53 in Valpo. Dan Oppland had 16 points, making 5-of-6 shots and all six of his free throw attempts in that game.

OPPLAND SHINES AGAINST DUKE: Junior Dan Oppland, a preseason First Team All-Mid-Con selection, had a strong showing against 9th-ranked Duke. In 34 minutes, Oppland led the Crusaders with 21 points and seven rebounds. The 6'8" forward was 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

MILES OF POINTS: Over the last two games, sophomore Jimmie Miles has improved his scoring production. With 22 points against Charlotte and 17 against Duke, the 6'2" guard has pushed his scoring average to 13.5 ppg.. Miles has been extremely proficient at the foul line, converting .895 percent (17-19).

UNITED CENTER ATTENDANCE: The correct attendance for Saturday's Valpo-Duke game at Chicago's United Center is 11,511.

CONFERENCE CHAMPS FLOOD VALPO SCHEDULE: As defending champions of the Mid-Continent Conference, Valpo is facing its share of conference champion opponents. Through their first eight games, the Crusaders oppose five league champions - Cincinnati, Charlotte (both shared Conference USA title in 2004), Duke (ACC), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon League, Dec. 11) and Illinois (Big 10, Dec. 19).