Crusaders Head to Auburn Hills as 14 Seed to Face Michigan State
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Crusaders Head to Auburn Hills as 14 Seed to Face Michigan State
The Crusaders react as their name appears on the screen at Sunday's viewing party. (Jon Hendricks)

The Valparaiso men's basketball team drew the No. 14 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2013 NCAA Tournament and will face No. 3 seed Michigan State in Second Round action at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. on Thursday.

The Crusaders, who enter the tournament with a 26-7 record, earned the Horizon League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after defeating Wright State 62-54 in the league tournament championship game. Michigan State received an at-large bid after going 25-8, including 13-5 in Big Ten play.

Also in Valpo's pod is No. 6 Memphis, which earned Conference USA's automatic bid with a 30-4 overall record. The No. 11 seed will be determined by one of the First Four games on Tuesday, played between Saint Mary's (27-6, 14-2 West Coast) and Middle Tennessee (28-5, 19-1 Sun Belt).

Keep an eye on ValpoAthletics.com and the Crusaders' social media accounts (Facebook - Valpo Athletics, Valpo Men's Basketball; Twitter - @valpoathletics, @valpobasketball) for more information regarding game time, ticket information, etc.