The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils and the LSU Tigers meet Monday in college basketball action from Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mississippi Valley State managed to go just 5-27 overall last year for a last-place finish in the SWAC standings. As for LSU, they’re coming off a disappointing 14-19 record a season ago and their own last-place finish in the SEC. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Mississippi Valley State is coming off another ugly season on the court, but the good news is that they improved over their 2-26 record in 2021-22. The Delta Devils managed to go 5-27 overall last year with a 4-14 run in SWAC games. The team still finished in last place though, and didn’t get into the conference tournament. 

Things are looking a little rosier for Mississippi Valley State heading into this season. The Delta Devils lost Terry Collins and his 15.2 PPG to graduation but retain Rayquan Brown (12.5 PPG; 6.5 RPG) as the team’s top returning scorer. Danny Washington (4.8 PPG) and Ernest Minton (2.5 PPG) will provide some much-needed experience and leadership on the court as well. 

LSU Tigers 

Over on the Tigers’ side, they’ve got their work cut out for them after a disappointing result last year in head coach Matt McMahon’s first season. LSU went 14-19 overall with a 2-16 run in SEC play for a last-place finish in the standings. The Tigers lost 17 of their final 18 games and would eventually fall to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament. 

LSU’s sour finish last year is on everyone’s mind, but McMahon should have enough talent on the roster to post a more well-rounded effort this season (even without star Jalen Cook, who had his waiver denied by the NCAA last week). Fifth-year senior Trae Hannibal (6.8 PPG) will provide some consistency, and the team gets 6-5 senior Mwani Wilkinson back from injury this year as well. Youngsters Jalen Reed (3.7 PPG) and Tyrell Ward (3.7 PPG) round out the roster. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stick with LSU. Probably not touching it, though. We should have a compelling matchup here; it’ll be interesting to see how both teams fare after rough finishes last season. The Tigers will be looking to erase the distaste of last season’s collapse, boasting a talented backcourt that could very well carry the team to a postseason run. LSU should match up very well against Mississippi Valley State, who will mostly just be looking for some positives to build on in this opener. I like the Delta Devils to manage a relatively good showing as well, but LSU should be in control from the opening tipoff.