We start our 2018-19 college basketball season previews today with Purdue and Valparaiso. Keep an eye on IndyStar.com for more this week.

Valparaiso’s men's basketball season failed to go as planned in 2017-18.

The jump from the Horizon League to the Missouri Valley Conference, as expected, wasn't easy. Competition intensified, but as much as the 15-17 record took a dip because of a 6-12 conference mark, that league record was because at one moment or another individual players on a young team tried to do too much.

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Through practice so far, redshirt junior center Derrik Smits has noticed his teammates, older and more experienced, are doing the opposite. And it’s paid dividends. Redshirt junior guard Bakari Evelyn said the team has rarely made the same mistake in practice twice.

“It’s not like we have one person trying to make a play,” Smits said. “It’s the whole team playing together.”

It’s one of two major reasons third-year coach Matt Lottich believes the Crusaders can reach the NCAA tournament. The other reason is talent. The Missouri Valley's preseason poll may rank Valparaiso seventh in the 10-team conference, but Evelyn credits doubt like that to a lack of awareness by those outside the program.

Lottich, like Smits and Evelyn, believes the Crusaders can compete with anyone. Even a team like Loyola Chicago that’s picked to win the MVC this year after making a run to last year's Final Four.

Valparaiso lost both meetings last season, but in the 70-54 loss at home, the Crusaders led by one with 16:07 left in the game. In the 80-71 road loss, the Crusaders trailed by just three with 4:43 left in the game.

“We’re very confident this year,” said Smits, whose team lost 10 games by single digits a year ago. “We have a lot better group than last year. Last year obviously didn’t go as planned, but we proved that we could play with anyone in the league, really. So this year we’re coming in more confident than ever.”

Valparaiso loses its leading scorer and rebounder from last season in Tevonn Walker. Evelyn was the team’s second leading scorer and was the lone player to start and play in all 32 games. Smits, a Zionsville graduate, led the team in field goal percentage. Redshirt junior Markus Golder led the team in 3-point shooting percentage, was second in rebounds per game and fourth in scoring per game.

And then there are players who will suit up for the Crusaders for the first time, such as redshirt junior Ryan Fazekas, a transfer from Providence who sat out last season due to NCAA rules. Fazekas’ veteran presence and shooting ability have impressed his teammates.

“We definitely have a lot of new pieces and guys over the summer who’ve improved their game,” Evelyn said.

There will be a number of opportunities to prove that early versus the likes of Western Kentucky in the Myrtle Beach Invitational and road tests against West Virginia, UNLV, George Washington and Texas A&M.

“Any time we step up and play a big team that’s kind of the big deal for us to show ourselves,” Smits said. “Because, we’re obviously a smaller school.”

And then, there's conference play.

“Since I’ve been here our goal every year has been to win a championship in any league that we’ve been in, so it always starts out with that,” Smits said. “As well as make it to the NCAA tournament. And don’t just make it to a game, win a game.”

Potential breakout player

Sophomore forward Mileek McMillan appeared in all 32 games as a freshman and started the final 18. However, he only averaged 10.6 minutes, 3.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. The Merrillville product impressed teammates with his commitment in the weight room this summer and has transformed his body. As his minutes increase, so too should his production.

Newcomer to watch

Redshirt senior guard Deion Lavender is a graduate transfer from UAB, and Derrik Smits already considers him a player on the team who in effect is an extension of coach Lottich on the court.

“He’s obviously experienced since he’s been in college for four years now,” Smits said. “Brings a lot experience to a team that, last year, I wouldn’t say lacked experience, but we were young.”

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Jordan Guskey on Twitter at @JordanGuskey or email him at jguskey@gannett.com.