Kansas State will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to LSU with a buy-game against Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats struggled to find answers against LSU, shooting just 37.7 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from three-point range. Point guard Dug McDaniel was a lone bright spot for K-State, scoring 16 points and dishing five assists in his first start. Former K-State guard Cam Carter scored 20 points in his return to Manhattan.
The Delta Devils enter this game with a 1-3 record and a two-game losing streak, dropping road games against Missouri and Texas. Mississippi Valley State’s lone win is against Mississippi University for Women. Last season, the Delta Devils won just one game, finishing with a 1-30 record.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Nov. 19. The game will air on ESPN+.
1. Mississippi Valley State has one of the toughest non-conference schedules
Like other teams in the SWAC, Mississippi Valley State scheduled a gauntlet in non-conference play, hoping to collect significant paychecks to fund their men's basketball program.
Three of the Delta Devils' first four games were road games against high-major programs, including games against Iowa State and Texas, two NCAA Tournament teams from last season. Mississippi Valley State lost these three games by an average margin of 52.3 points.
Following their game against K-State, the Delta Devils will travel to BYU, Utah, and LSU. They'll also play some top mid-major programs, including Liberty and North Texas.
While playing these games will help the men’s basketball program stay afloat, it leads to expected losses. The Delta Devils operate under the assumption that they’ll lose these games, but it’s a necessary trade-off to play an entire season.
2. The Delta Devils kept it close in the first half against Texas
Although Mississippi Valley State lost by 46 points, the Delta Devils kept it close in the first half.
Mississippi Valley State trailed Texas by just ten points heading into the locker room, holding the Longhorns to 44.4 percent shooting in the first half. Senior forward Alvin Stredic led the Delta Devils in scoring with eight points.
The Delta Devils would keep it close in the first few minutes of the second half before Texas’s offense started finding rhythm. The Longhorns closed the game, converting on 18 of their 20 shot attempts to pull ahead.
Against Iowa State, the Delta Devils had a strong start, keeping the Cyclones lead to single digits for the first ten minutes of the first half. However, Iowa State found their groove earlier than Texas, entering halftime with a 23-point lead.
While the opposing team’s talent will help them come away with lopsided victories, the Delta Devils aren’t afraid to get gritty and keep games close.
3. The Delta Devils don't have much height
According to KenPom, Mississippi Valley State is No. 307 in average height, placing the Delta Devils closer to the bottom of the country.
Alvin Stredic is the tallest player in their starting lineup, measuring 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds. On most teams, he’d operate more as a wing player, but the Delta Devils’ roster deficiencies force him to guard the tallest players on other teams.
Their backcourt isn’t tall, either. Guards Antonio Sisk and Donovan Sanders are 6-foot-1 and 5-foor-11, respectively. George Ivory, who also features prominently in their rotation, is slight taller at 6-foot-2.
While their bench has some size, it’s hardly a deterrent for most college basketball teams. For context, the Wildcats are No. 108 in average height. Their starting lineup features Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan, who are taller than anyone in the Delta Devils starting lineup.
