Valparaiso University has been predicted to finish in sixth place in the league’s 2009-2010 preseason women’s basketball poll according to the voting done by the other conference head coaches, the league’s sports information directors, and selected media members.

Sixteenth-year head coach Keith Freeman returns eight letterwinners, including two starters from last year’s team which went 16-14 overall and 10-8 in the Horizon League, placing fourth.

The Crusaders tallied 145 points in the preseason poll to place sixth, 10 behind Milwaukee and 15 behind UIC who were tabbed fifth and fourth respectively.

Green Bay was picked to win the league crown for the 12th straight season followed by Cleveland State and Butler.  Wright State was selected seventh followed by Detroit.  Loyola and Youngstown State rounded out the poll.

The voting, awards 10 points for a first place vote through one point for a tenth place vote.

Valparaiso will exhibition play on Sunday afternoon hosting Indianapolis at 1:35 p.m. with the game carried live on the Horizon League Network.  The regular season opens November 14 against Indiana Tech at 7:05 p.m.