Mississippi Valley State vs Tulsa Picks and Prediction – 12/21/2024

The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (2-9, 0-9 away) visit the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-7, 3-3 home) in a matchup that features two teams looking to end recent losing streaks. The Delta Devils suffered a crushing 83-42 defeat against North Texas, while the Golden Hurricane fell short against UCF, 88-75. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

The Delta Devils' offensive struggles are evident, scoring only 52 points per game while shooting 39.3% from the field. Arthur Tate leads the team with 11.3 points per game, but the lack of secondary scoring options has made it challenging to compete against more talented opponents. Alvin Stredic provides a modest 4.7 rebounds per game, but the team’s 26.9 rebounds per game overall leave them vulnerable on the boards. Donovan Sanders leads with 2.5 assists per game, reflecting limited ball movement on offense.

Defensively, Mississippi Valley State is allowing a staggering 82.8 points per game. The inability to protect the rim is highlighted by only 0.7 blocks per game, while opponents are often able to exploit an undersized frontcourt. With just 7 steals per game, the defensive pressure remains inconsistent, often allowing teams to dominate both inside and out.

Tulsa enters this contest as heavy favorites, averaging 74.2 points per game. Keaston Willis leads the way with 14.5 points per game, supported by Ian Smikle’s presence in the paint, averaging 5.5 rebounds. A 40.5% shooting efficiency indicates a balanced offensive approach, with Dwon Odom orchestrating the attack with 4 assists per game. This offensive versatility allows Tulsa to create mismatches against less disciplined defenses.

Defensively, the Golden Hurricane concedes 77 points per game, but the rebounding edge (37.6 per game) and 3.6 blocks per game provide stability. With Braeden Carrington averaging 1.5 steals per game, Tulsa demonstrates the ability to create turnovers and transition opportunities. While they have struggled recently, performances at home suggest a significant advantage in this matchup.

Tulsa’s balanced offense and superior rebounding should dominate against Mississippi Valley State's porous defense. The Delta Devils' road woes and lack of consistent scoring make it hard to envision an upset. Expect Tulsa to control the tempo and capitalize on home-court advantage. Final Score Prediction: Tulsa Golden Hurricane wins easily 79-53.