<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3lMXGO_0wFVX1Yq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3lMXGO_0wFVX1Yq00" width="1763" height="1175" ></figure>One of the most highly anticipated sports in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) is knocking at the door: basketball. The filled arenas, buzzer beaters and more, there’s nothing quite like Saturday night basketball. Arguably one of the most exciting sports seasons of the year, Valpo men’s basketball is looking to have a statement year in an extremely competitive conference.Last year was a disappointing year for the Beacons. Finishing the 2023-24 season at only 7-25, the team almost went through an entire roster change, with numerous transfers coming in as well as some key returners back to the squad. Hungry for more, head coach Roger Powell Jr. knows the stakes and knows his team is ready for more.“I think it gives these guys a little more chip on their shoulder. We should be there already motivated when you think about all the games that we gave up last season, and you think about the roster last year,” Powell said. “With that being said, we got some more experience. We got some good transfers. These guys have gone through a season. I think we’re going to have that taste when we start games, and we’re going to want to win a lot of those games.”Along with the numerous transfers and new freshman class, the team still has a strong core group that led the team in numerous statistics last season, including MVC Freshman of the Year, Cooper Schweiger. Powell has seen the improvements in the offseason and knows he can be not just the best freshman, but one of the best players in the conference.“Last year, he scored 20 points and you’d be surprised. Now, there’s no more surprise. He’s a really good player, and I think he’s understanding that. I think he’s excited about taking on the challenge of being the guy who is one of the best players in the league. Our goal one day is to have the best player, so that’s what he’s chasing now,” Powell said.Not only does Powell see the improvement and drive within Schweiger, but so does Schweiger himself. “I’m probably one of the more experienced guys on the roster. I think that experience and leadership would probably be where I grew the most this past year. They’re looking to me as more of a leader on the team now. I feel like embracing that role and learning to communicate are the biggest places I’ve grown,” Schweiger said. While Powell knows how difficult it is to be an elite team in such a competitive conference, he still has high expectations for his squad. Valpo basketball has a rich history of success, and Powell knows his team is up to the challenge to uphold that tradition.“I think we’ll be competitive. This team is going to compete, and I think this team has a chance to have a winning season. I think we have all the tools, experience, players and talent to be able to do that. I believe in these guys, they know how much confidence I have in them. I [believe] that we can make it to the tournament,” Powell said.Not only does Powell have big aspirations for the team, but he also has big dreams to bring back the era of showtime Valpo basketball. From what once was a team that consistently made it to the big dance, Powell is up to the challenge to bring back the competitive and fiery aura of Valpo basketball.“One of the things we want to do is we want to protect our own court. We want to make this place special again. I was a part of some special environments. I was a part of some sellout crowds. I was a part of some top-25 victories in this gym. That’s what this team wants to bring back. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re motivated to do it,” Powell said.The team will compete in its first game of the season against Liberty University on Nov. 4.</div></body>

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Men’s basketball looks for redemptive year

One of the most highly anticipated sports in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) is knocking at the door: basketball. The filled arenas, buzzer beaters and more, there’s nothing quite like Saturday night basketball. Arguably one of the most exciting sports seasons of the year, Valpo men’s basketball is looking to have a statement year in an extremely competitive conference.