MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Valparaiso University men's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Horizon League for the 2009-10 season, according to polling of the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media members.

VU totaled 137 points. Butler, last season's regular-season champion, was picked as the league's preseason favorite, picking up 43 of a possible 46 first-place votes and totaling 455 points. Wright State was selected second, while 2009 tournament champion Cleveland State was picked third. Milwaukee, Green Bay, Detroit and Youngstown State were picked fourth through seventh, while UIC and Loyola rounded out the polling.

The Crusaders return six letterwinners, including a trio of starters, from last year's squad. Valpo's first game will be an exhibition matchup against Indianapolis on Nov. 1, while the regular season commences Nov. 13 at Ball State.