2020-21: 10-18; 7-11 MVC (t-5th)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  7/9
Starters Returning/Lost:  3/2

The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program will look to continue its forward trajectory during the 2021-22 season, the program’s fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Valpo improved its seeding in the State Farm MVC Tournament for the fourth straight year in 2020-21 and earned a first-round bye in the event for the first time since joining the prestigious league. 

The Beacons will blend a group of talented returning players with an exciting crop of newcomers. Head coach Matt Lottich’s roster is comprised of five transfers, five freshmen and eight returning players. 

Four of the players who have transferred into the program come from the Big Ten Conference, including three from Wisconsin – Kobe King, Joe Hedstrom and Trevor Anderson. In addition, Thomas Kithier transferred in from Michigan State and two-time first team all-conference selection Kevion Taylor joins the fold after previously playing at Winona State. King was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, while Anderson was also honored as Wisconsin Mr. Basketball and the Associated Press Player of the Year following his senior season. 

The class of five freshmen includes 6-foot-8 guard Keyondre Young, who was named the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year and the Super 5 Player of the Year by the Oklahoman following his senior season. The group of rookies also includes Trey Woodyard, Darius DeAveiro, Cam Palesse and preferred walk-on Preston Ruedinger. 

The 10 newcomers will join a talented crop of returning players, led by Ben Krikke, who earned a place on the All-MVC Third Team, MVC Most-Improved Team and MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team last season after averaging a team-best 12.3 points per game. Sheldon Edwards is back for his sophomore season after achieving MVC All-Freshman Team status. Other returning players include sixth-year senior Eron Gordon, junior Emil Freese-Vilien, sophomore Connor Barrett and walk-ons Tyler Fricke, Brock Pappas and Luke Morrill. 

The highlight of Valpo’s 2020-21 season came on Feb. 7, when the team recorded an upset victory over previously-undefeated Drake, the nation’s No. 25 team. The 74-57 triumph was the fourth win over an AP Top 25 team in program history and the second of the Lottich Era.