Game #2-Iona

Yes, the Crusaders are 1-0. No, it wasn't terribly pretty. IPFW fought hard, tied the game a couple of times in the second half, and never really went away until the final two minutes. Valpo took care of business, which is good enough at this time of year. Alec Peters would lead the Crusaders with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and a steal. David Skara chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal off the bench, and Shane Hammink and Keith Carter added ten points apiece. Valpo never trailed by more than two points, and the Crusaders never trailed in the second half, eventually pushing their lead to 14 inside of the final minute. The biggest news coming out of the day was freshman center Derrik Smits suffering a potentially long-term foot injury. He was in a walking boot and sweats during the game, and will be out against Iona.

Game 2, however, becomes much tougher as Valparaiso welcomes the Iona Gaels (0-0) to the ARC today as part of action in the Beaver  The Gaels are the preseason pick to win the MAAC, with 119 of 121 possible votes. The Gaels also are receiving a vote in the AP Top 25. Easily the best player for Iona is AJ English, the preseason pick for MAAC Player of the Year, after being First Team All-MAAC the last two seasons. He averaged 20.1 ppg and 5.1 apg last season in leading Iona to the NIT last season. The Gaels depth consists of Schadrac Casimir (14.5 ppg), a preseason pick to First Team All-MAAC and last season's MAAC Freshman of the Year, as well as Isaiah Williams(13.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), a preseason Second Team All-MAAC pick. Iona is being projected into the NCAA Tournament by both ESPN and CBS Sports.

Valpo will possibly see the return of E. Victor Nickerson after offseason wrist surgery. He will be in uniform, but there are questions as to if he will play or not. 

The game can be viewed at ESPN3.com, and will be on the radio at WVUR (95.1 FM). Todd Ickow, David Huseman, and Tommy Mantice have the call on both platforms.