Mississippi Valley State Men's Basketball (3-20, 1-8) vs. Alabama A&M (4-19, 3-6); Alabama State (8-12, 6-3)
Date(s): Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019; Monday, Feb. 11, 2019
Time(s): 6:00 p.m. (CT); 7:30 p.m. (CT)
Facility: T.M. Elmore Gym (Huntsville, AL); Dunn-Oliver Acadome (Birmingham, AL)
 
PROBABLE STARTERS: G Jordan Evans (6-2, Sr., 11.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg); G Gregory Jones-Rollins (6-2, Sr., 11.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg); G Tereke Eckwood (6-2, Sr., 4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg); SF Dante Scott (6-4, Sr., 12.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg); C Emmanuel Ejeh (6-8, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg).
 
DELTA DEVILS OVERVIEW: Mississippi Valley State (3-20, 1-8) started their four-game road trip at Jackson State (61-57) and Grambling State where they dropped both games. MVSU is in search of their first road win this season heading to Alabama for a pair of SWAC games against Alabama A&M and Alabama State. This season, the Delta Devils rank top five in the SWAC in assist-turnover ratio (0.86), defensive rebounds per game (23.87), fewest fouls (411), fewest turnovers (296), free throw attempts (455), free throws made (295), offensive rebounds per game (11.65), personal fouls per game (17.9), total rebounds (817), and total rebounds per game (35.52). Dante Scott leads the Delta Devils in scoring (12.2 ppg) followed by both Jordan Evans (11.5 ppg) and Gregory Jones-Rollins (11.1). Scott is second in the conference in total field goal attempts (262). Emmanuel Ejeh leads the team's rebounding efforts with 7.3 rpg, and ranks third in the conference for offensive rebounds per game (2.35), defensive rebounds per game (4.96), and total rebounds (168).
 
ALABAMA A&M OVERVIEW: Alabama A&M (4-19, 3-6) is 3-1 when playing in the T.M. Elmore Gym against SWAC competitors and 3-5 overall this season. The Bulldogs are currently on a two-game losing streak coming off their recent road trip to Prairie View (81-65) on Feb. 2 and Texas Southern (84-74) on Feb. 4. AAMU is currently under the direction of interim head coach Dylan Howard who served as the associate head coach last season. Last season, the Bulldogs went 3-28 overall and 3-15 in the conference. This season, the Bulldogs average 32.9 rebounds per game, 12.2 assists per game, 7.7 steals per game, 1.5 blocks per game, and 16 turnovers per game. Brandon Miller ranks top three in the conference in assist-turnover ratio (1.66), assists per game (4.0), minutes per game (33:25), total assists (93), total minutes (768:40), and total steals (36). Miller also paces the Bulldogs at 10.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Andre Kennedy ranks fifth in the conference in double-doubles (4). Alabama A&M comes into the game with a -12.5 scoring margin, shooting 40.2 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three-point field, and 61.3 percent from the free throw line.
 
ALABAMA STATE OVERVIEW: Alabama State (8-12, 6-3) is a perfect 6-0 when playing at home against SWAC teams this season. Last season the Hornets were 4-7 at home with an overall 8-23 record and an 8-10 conference record. Head coach Lewis Jackson is entering his 11^th season with the Hornets, and under his direction, the Hornets are currently leading the conference in fewest fouls (366), offensive rebounds per game (12.5), and second in turnovers forced (15.55). The Hornets offense is paced by Reginald Gee (14.5 ppg) and Jacoby Ross (13.9 ppg). In the SWAC, Ross is second in free throw percentage (82.0) and third in three-point field goals per game (2.45) and total three-pointers made (49). ASU is coming into the matchup shooting 41 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from the three-point field, and 61.9 percent from the free throw line. ASU has a -4.4 scoring margin with 67.1 points per game average while allowing opponents on average 71.5 points per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Dante Scott posted a season-high 28 points in the loss to in-state rivals, Jackson State. MVSU committed a season-low eight turnovers and blocked a season-high six shots at JSU. Their next game was a televised contest at Grambling State. The Delta Devils were held to only 18 baskets from the field falling by double-digits to the Tigers. Despite being sluggish on offense two Delta Devils scored in double-figures, Scott (11) and Gregory Jones-Rollins (11).
 
UP NEXT
MVSU returns home for a pair of games after playing their last four contest on the road. Alcorn State is up next on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m.
 
NEWS & NOTES
·         MVSU has three players in double-figures in conference play: Dante Scott (12.2 ppg), Jordan Evans (11.5 ppg), and Gregory Jones-Rollins (11.1 ppg)
·         MVSU through 23 games is shooting 37.6 percent from the field, 29.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 64.8 percent from the free throw line
·         MVSU is averaging 35.5 rebounds per game, 11.0 assists per game, 6.2 steals per game, 2.2 blocks per game, and 12.9 turnovers per game