In a stunning reversal of expectations, the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (MVSU) emerged victorious from a showdown with the Texas Southern Tigers (TXSU) on the road, claiming a 72-71 triumph at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex. The margin was a single point, a razor-thin margin that belied the magnitude of the upset. The Delta Devils' victory marked a significant upset, with the Tigers entering the contest as the higher-ranked team, boasting a NET ranking of #305 compared to the Delta Devils' #365.
The implications of this upset are far-reaching, particularly in terms of seeding and tournament positioning. With their loss, the Tigers' NET ranking could take a significant hit, potentially impacting their chances in the tournament seeding process. Meanwhile, the Delta Devils' win serves as a testament to their resilience and determination, and could potentially propel them up the NET rankings in the coming weeks.
Michael James led the charge for Mississippi Valley State, tallying 24 points on 8-19 shooting from the field, including 2-9 from three-point range. He also chipped in with 2 rebounds and 4 assists. James's efficient 6-7 performance from the free throw line was a crucial factor in his team's victory. His well-rounded stat line showcased his ability to impact the game in multiple facets.
Daniel Mayfield and Xzayvion Childress also made significant contributions to the Delta Devils' win. Mayfield posted 17 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 8-15 from the field, while Childress added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 4-6 shooting from the field. Mayfield's strong rebounding effort and Childress's all-around play helped Mississippi Valley State secure the win over Texas Southern.
Duane Posey's 17-point performance was a bright spot for Texas Southern, as he converted six of his eight field goal attempts and went a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. However, his lack of assists and limited rebounding (four) prevented him from having a more well-rounded game. Despite his scoring prowess, Posey's overall impact was somewhat mitigated by his team's narrow loss.
Jaylen Wysinger and Alex Anderson struggled to find consistent rhythm in their shooting, with Wysinger shooting 4-for-13 from the field and Anderson going 5-for-7 but converting just 5 of his 9 free throw attempts. Wysinger's three assists were a positive, but his scoring output was somewhat muted. Anderson's free throw struggles were a notable aspect of his performance, as he had several opportunities to put his team ahead but came up short.
The remaining players on both teams largely adhered to their established season averages.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a Texas Southern victory by 11.7 points was proven to be incorrect as Mississippi Valley State emerged with a 1-point win. Upon review, it becomes apparent that the model overestimated Texas Southern's dominance, failing to account for the Delta Devils' surge in shooting efficiency.
Mississippi Valley State's increased shooting efficiency in this game, particularly in the form of a higher effective field goal percentage (51.8% vs 44.6% season average), played a significant role in their victory. Additionally, their ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, evident in their higher on-ball rebound rate in this game, allowed them to control the tempo and secure crucial possessions.
The outcome of this matchup holds significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament prospects. For Mississippi Valley State, this Quad 4 victory may not significantly boost its NET ranking, but it does provide a much-needed confidence boost and a rare win to add to its ledger. Given its overall record and NET standing, the Delta Devils are unlikely to crack the NCAA Tournament field, but this win does provide a glimmer of hope for a potential play-in game appearance. For Texas Southern, this Quad 4 loss is a setback, particularly considering its NET ranking and Quad 1 and 2 records. The Tigers now find themselves on the outside looking in for a potential NCAA Tournament bid, and this defeat has made their path to the tournament even more treacherous. The Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes are all but extinguished, and this loss will likely be a harsh reminder of the program's struggles this season.