Valparaiso at Western Kentucky

Valparaiso has played one game at home and this is their first road game. The Crusaders come off a losing season. After five Horizon League regular season titles in six years, Valparaiso was harshly welcomed into the Missouri Valley Conference with a 10th place finish last year and are still rebuilding. They went 6-12 in conference play last season. They head to the Myrtle Beach Invitational for this one against a talented Western Kentucky squad that won 27 games last season. They have a dominant frontcourt force in 6-11 Charles Bassey (13 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game), who was just named Conference USA Freshman of the Week. That included a 12-rebound performance against No. 25 Washington in the opener. The wagering value is on the Hilltoppers to win the game straight-up. Play Western Kentucky on the moneyline.