Freeman-Liberty, Fazekas setting standard for Crusaders
Outside expectations aren’t high for Valparaiso this season. But if you spend time around the Crusaders, it’s clear this team thinks it will win - and have fun in the process.
Valparaiso is only in its third year in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Crusaders program has a history of success, and seem poised to turn the page to another promising chapter.
“Honestly, I’m excited. We have a group that really likes each other. I’m having a blast right now coaching this team,” said Valpo head coach Matt Lottich.
Valley fans have learned to expect the unexpected, with teams projected toward the league’s bottom in the preseason often ending up having successful seasons. That’s certainly the goal for Lottich.
Heading into his fourth season, Lottich is 54-44. Valparaiso was previously a member of the Horizon League.
The Crusaders finished 15-18 last season and 7-11 in the Valley. They beat Indiana State, 77-55, in the opening round of the State Farm MVC Tournament. But, their Arch Madness run ended with a 67-54 loss to Loyola.
Lottich lost five key contributors, including 7-0 Derrik Smits who scored a team-best 12.2 points per game last season. He does have two standout players back, and they are central to Lottich’s lofty hopes.
Sophomore guard Javon Freeman-Liberty and 6-8 redshirt senior Ryan Fazekas are natural leaders who are carrying out Lottich’s ideals of selflessness.
“We say ‘we above me’ always. If you have a collection of individuals that take the approach that the team is most important, you’re going to find success,” said Lottich.
Freeman-Liberty averaged 11 points and 4.3 rebounds last season on his way to earning MVC All-Freshman and All-Defensive Team honors. His 60 steals were tops in the Valley.
“This past offseason we stayed in the gym a lot, and always talked about our (team) culture,” said Freeman-Liberty. “We have ... meetings every Monday morning, and we talk about team culture and what’s expected.”
Freeman-Liberty’s uncle is Marcus Liberty, who played on Illinois’ Final Four team in 1989 and for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons.
“With guys like Javon, you tell him one thing one time, and he’s got it,” said Lottich.
Fazekas missed 13 games because of injuries last season, but did start in the Crusaders’ other 20 games. He averaged 11.8 points, and had 48 made 3s on a team-best 43.2 percent from deep.
“Javon is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, no doubt about it,” said Lottich. “Ryan is going to have opportunities to shoot and create, but we do have other guys with talent.”
It is Fazekas’ second season at Valpo after playing two seasons at Providence.
“Not having a big post presence is going to be a change. But I like getting to play small ball now, and finding new ways of scoring,” Fazekas said.
“Our culture is a lot better this year. The freshmen and new guys are bringing energy.”
Two redshirt junior guards are now eligible following their transfer seasons. Junior guard Eron Gordon came from Seton Hall, and Nick Robinson transferred from Saint Joseph’s.
Gordon appeared in 48 games in two seasons at Seton Hall. His older brother, Eric Gordon, was the No. 7 selection in the 2008 NBA Draft and has been a good NBA player for 11 years.
Robinson played in 62 games at Saint Joseph’s, including 30 starts.
Lottich must sort through a bevy of other newcomers to iron out his regular rotation. He did indicate that 6-7 freshman Donovan Clay, a First-Team All-State player at Alton, Ill., is someone to watch.
“Donovan is a special talent, there is no doubt about it. He’s picking things up well, and he’s going to play,” Lottich said.
Lottich played at Stanford from 2000-2004, and was part of a Pac-10 title team in his senior season.
The Crusaders open their season on Nov. 5 when they’ll host Toledo. They begin MVC action on Dec. 30 at home against Loyola.
(St. Louis-based writer and MVC Contributor Brian Doolittle can be reached at briandoolittle1973@gmail.com