Valpo's "World's Tallest Team" was actually a collection of teams that gained Valparaiso national recognition during World War II and began in 1942 when a pair of Michigan City, Indiana brothers, Don and Wally Warnke, joined Valpo when their high school coach, Loren Ellis, was hired as head coach.

Valparaiso did well with the Warnke brothers before Wally was able to enlist and fight in World War II.

The team won its first 11 games, including a program-defining victory over Long Island at Madison Square Garden.

Despite finishing 21–3 on the season, the Crusaders were held out of the National Invitation Tournament, with their spot likely going to Midwest powers DePaul and/or Bowling Green.

[6] The iconic photograph of Valparaiso's players standing outside Madison Square Garden is displayed just outside the Athletics-Recreation Center court to this day.

In 1964, Gene Bartow took over as head coach at Valpo and led the Crusaders to the greatest stretch of basketball in school history.

Valpo struggled mightily in their early years of Division I play, never having a winning record until 1994.

[8] After struggling early under coach Homer Drew, the Crusaders became a conference power beginning with the 1993–94 season where they finished second.

The Crusaders won their first Mid-Continent championship in 1995, led by star player Bryce Drew.

The Crusaders won their second round game against Florida State before losing in the Sweet Sixteen to Rhode Island.

In 2001, though the Crusaders won the regular season championship, they lost to Southern Utah in the conference tournament.

Scott would lead the Crusaders to another regular season championship, but failed to win the conference tournament and settled for an NIT appearance.

Following the season, Valparaiso agreed to join the Missouri Valley Conference after 10 years as a member of the Horizon League.

The Crusaders were invited to replace Wichita State which left the league to join the American Athletic Conference.