Monday, January 30, 2012

The Valparaiso men’s basketball team learned Monday evening that it had earned a televised appearance in the 2012 Sears BracketBusters X event and will travel to the West Coast, as the Crusaders will face off against Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday evening, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. CT live on ESPNU.

The Crusaders earned the television game, their third time being selected for a TV game as part of the event, after ending last weekend with a 15-8 overall record and an 8-3 mark in Horizon League play, just one-half game out of the league lead.  Valpo’s previous TV appearances both came at the ARC, as it defeated Miami (Ohio) on ESPN Classic in 2008, 99-94 in double overtime, and beat Missouri State last season, 80-67.

Loyola Marymount entered this week with a 13-9 overall record, including a 6-3 record in West Coast Conference action.  The Lions have two victories over teams that were ranked within the nation’s top-25 (UCLA, Saint Louis) and boast a balanced offense, as four different players average in double figures for a team that averages 70.4 ppg on the offensive end.  The Crusaders and LMU have never met on the basketball court.

“Obviously Loyola Marymount has some great wins this year, beating UCLA, Saint Louis and winning at BYU,” said Crusader head coach Bryce Drew.  “We know they’re a very good offensive team and should be a good test for us.  I’m just really excited for our players.  They’ve worked hard all year and it’s a great honor for them to get to play on national television.”