Missouri Valley Conference basketball coaches are getting ready for the upcoming basketball season.
The coaches provided an update on their preparations during a conference call Tuesday.
It's a new look league after the addition of Valparaiso to replace Wichita State after the shockers left for the American Athletic Conference.
SIU head coach Barry Hinson says he thinks the conference race is wide open.
"Everybody that came in this summer thinks they can win a championship. I think you're looking at one of the greatest Valley races we've had in some time."
Valparaiso head coach Matt Lottich says his young team is looking forward to the transition from the Horizon League.
"We have a lot of motivated young men that are dialed in and excited about a new challenge. When we take the floor, we're going to give everything we've got. It's kind of our M.O. I expect us to be competitive. But, we also understand it's a step up."
Valparaiso joins the MVC after a decade in the Horizon League.
While men's basketball is the highest profile sport for the Crusaders, 17 Valparaiso Athletics programs will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, starting this fall.