MORE: Benzinger developing into all-around threat
The Crusaders (16-4, 6-1 Horizon League) have won four of the last five regular season titles and are positioned to make it five of six thanks to a five-game winning streak.
The Raiders (14-7, 5-3) have been able to stay close with a three-game winning streak .
“I think our guys are feeling pretty good and confident,” Nagy said. “In order to be a top team, you have to go into every game thinking you’re going to win and just figuring out ways to do it. Certainly this is going to be a tough game.”
RELATED: Wright State-Valparaiso preview box
The most difficult task facing WSU will be finding a way to slow Valpo senior forward Alec Peters, who leads the conference in scoring and is second nationally at 24.2 points per game.
Peters, whose first Division I scholarship offer came from Nagy at South Dakota State, also leads the HL in rebounding (10.9) and free throw percentage (90.3).
“He does it every way,” Nagy said. “He shoots it, he scores in the post, he gets to the free throw line. His efficiency rate is tremendous. He’s also getting 11 rebounds per game. Those are dominating numbers.
“We try to look at players’ strengths and weaknesses and try to defend that way, but he doesn’t have any weaknesses,” Nagy added. “So it’s a little more challenge defensively. Certainly you’re whole defense is aware of where he is. It’s not one of those things where we’re just going to leave guys wide open just because we’re going to stick to him.”
Peters, who recently became Valparaiso’s career scoring leader and ranks fifth in HL history with 2,166 points, has always had a strong supporting cast, and that’s the case again this season with senior guard Shane Hammink (15.3 ppg) and junior guard Tevonn Walker (12.0).
RELATED: Mitchell soars for another career high
But as good as Valpo is offensively, the staple to its success continues to be defense. The Crusaders are allowing a league-best 65.9 ppg during league play. They replaced two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year Vashil Fernandez with another shot-blocker in 7-foot-2 freshman Derrik Smits, and they’ve been dominant on the boards, out-rebounding opponents by 10.7 per game.
“They’re big and they don’t give you offensive rebounds,” Nagy said. “They’re hard to score around the rim on. When you have shot blockers and big kids and you can’t get shots in the 10-foot zone, then your percentages go down.
“You don’t get to the free throw line as much, and when you’re not getting to the free throw line and you’re not scoring around the basket, your offensive efficiency rate really drops,” he added. “That’s why they’re leading the league.”
About the Author