Friday, September 05, 2003

A home game against Cincinnati on Dec. 2 and a road contest against Duke on Feb. 26 highlight Valparaiso University's 2003-04 Men's Basketball Schedule. The Crusaders, defending Mid-Continent Conference regular season champions, will play five consecutive non-conference home games against South Florida (Nov. 25), Cincinnati, Indiana State (Dec. 8), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Dec. 10) and Loyola (Dec. 13).

The arrival of Cincinnati will mark the first home game at the ARC against a national power since Valpo hosted Purdue in the first game of the 2001-02 campaign. The game against three-time national champion Duke begins a three-game series over the next three years.

Valpo (20-11 in 2002-03) opens its regular season Nov. 21-22 at Final Four qualifier Marquette University's Pepsi Blue & Gold Classic. Following the five straight non-conference home games, the Crusaders travel to play in the Fiesta Bowl Classic at the University of Arizona on Dec. 28 & 30.

The 16-game Mid-Continent Conference season opens Jan. 3 when head coach Homer Drew takes his squad on the road to face Oakland. On Jan. 5, Valpo hosts IUPUI, the 2003 Mid-Con Tournament Champion, in the conference home opener. Centenary, playing its debut season in the Mid-Con, will oppose the Crusaders at the ARC on Jan. 22.

The Mid-Continent Conference Tournament will be held Sun.-Tues., March 7-9 at Kansas City's Kemper Arena.

Valpo will also play two exhibition games, Nov. 13 against an International Select Team and Nov. 17 against Athletes In Action.