Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas 11/25/20 - NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils visit Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas to play the Arkansas Razorbacks in the opening game of the regular season for both. Mississippi Valley State last season was 3-27 overall and 3-15 in the SWAC. The top returning player from last season for the Delta Devils is Caleb Hunter, who was the Freshman of the Year last season.

Transfer Kam’Ron Cunningham is expected to make an intermediate impact after averaging 11.0 points per game last season for Dayton State. Cunningham will be difficult to keep out of the lane and if defenders back off can hit from 3-point territory evidenced by hitting 40% of his three-pointers a season ago. Freshman Treylan Smith is expected to battle for a starting position as is Devin Gordon. The biggest needs for the Delta Devils is rebounding and defense off transition.

Arkansas was 20-12 overall and 7-11 in the SEC last season. The Razorbacks lost their three top scorers Mason Jones, Isaiah Joe and Jimmy Whitt Jr. The only returning starter that averaged double figures in scoring is Desi Sils at 10.6 points per game. However, several new players through transfers and incoming freshmen have been added to the Razorbacks roster and Arkansas should be competitive during the 2020-21 season.

Arkansas has six transfers from Division 1 with the biggest of the group Justin Smith, who averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds last season with the Indiana Hoosiers. Another big-name in transfers is Vance Johnson, who is likely to join Smith in Arkansas' starting lineup. Jalen Tate, who averaged 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds for Northern Kentucky last season has also transferred to Arkansas. Tate is expected to be the starting point guard with the Razorbacks. Arkansas also has five freshmen joining the team, but the freshmen are expected to see limited action to begin the season.