Valparaiso at Indiana State
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN3.com, WVUR-FM (95.1).
Outlook: Valparaiso (7-2) returns to the court after its longest stretch between games so far this season. Will the time off help the Crusaders’ health? David Skara (sprained ankle) has shown no ill effects in practice after logging big and pivotal minutes in Thursday’s 61-57 win over Belmont. After missing two straight games, Tevonn Walker (sprained knee) was doing “better,” coach Bryce Drew said, and was expected to be a game-day decision against Indiana State (3-4). The Sycamores are coming off Saturday’s 85-71 loss at Butler, hanging in the game before the Bulldogs pulled away late. Devonte Brown averages 14.4 points, Khristian Smith 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds, and Brenton Scott, last season’s Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, checks in at 11.9 points. This game begins a four-year deal between the teams, with the next two scheduled for the Athletics-Recreation Center and the last one back at the Hulman Center. The Crusaders and Sycamores last played during the 2004-05 season, a 70-68 overtime win for Indiana State in Terre Haute. The Sycamores lead the all-time series 50-29. “Our two schools have played a lot in the past, so there’s a history there,” Drew said. “Also a lot of people from around the state look at this game. It was nice for each of us to get back on the schedule.”