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Mississippi Valley State University:
5-27 last season
4-14 in SWAC play
5-27 last season
4-14 in SWAC play
Last year’s stat highlights:
- Gave up the third most turnovers nationally
- 32nd nationally in free throw rate
- Only 27.6% of their FGAs were from three (13th lowest)
- 42.8 2P% (fifth worst)
- 53rd at steal rate
Season so far:
- 60-106 loss to LSU
- 43-82 loss to Oklahoma
Entering his second year head coaching MVSU, George Ivory is a long-time SWAC coach, who previously led Arkansas-Pine Bluff for thirteen seasons, highlighted by a March Madness appearance in 2010.
At Arkansas Pine Bluff, Ivory regularly led teams who were aggressive on defense by forcing isolation, generating turnovers (top-ten in turnover rate in four seasons) and were a pain on the perimeter (four seasons with top-75 opp. 3P%).
Much of Ivory’s defensive strategy is centered around an amorphous zone-defense, as last year, MVSU was one of the twenty teams to play more zone than man. As mentioned, Ivory’s zone generates turnovers, especially steals, but the Delta Devils lack the beef up front to defend the paint well.
Players of Note:
Rayquan Brown - 6’6 190 senior
- 15.5 ppg, 34 mpg this year, last year stats: 6.5r, 1.2a, 29.0 3P%
Arecko Gipson - 6’7 210 senior
- 10.5p, 5.0r, last year: 25 3P%
Donovan Sanders - 5’11 170 junior
- 9.5p, 1.5a, 3.5 TO
Based on the chart above (via KenPom.com), Coach Ivory has played a whopping fourteen players this season as part of his rotation. My guess: the team lacks skill behind Brown and Gipson, so an array of forwards and guards are interchangeable to keep the defensive energy always at a high level.
Last year, Ivory worked with a brand new group of players that was supplemented mid-season with the addition of a couple newly eligible players in January. This year, Ivory returns six key rotation pieces, led by senior Rayquan Brown.
Rayquan Brown a reliable bucket-getter. Quick first step and explosive athlete, but is not a strong outside shooter (career 31.4 3P%). At 6’6 190, Brown can fit in a variety of roles, playing anywhere between the 2 and the 4.
6’7 210 senior Arecko Gipson shares Brown’s versatility and willingness to score in a variety of ways. A spring semester addition last season, Gipson will play anywhere between the 3 and the 5.
Donovan Sanders has been an important addition as the 5’11 170 combo guard is an aggressive defender who is a frequent attacker in the lane. His aggressiveness, however, makes him prone to turnovers (about seven per forty minutes).
No sugar-coating, MVSU is easily the cupcakest cupcake we play this season. However, I see their style providing UConn somewhat of a facsimile to a team like St. John’s: a team with a deep bench that pressures and takes high risks on defense. Both St. John’s and MSVU predicate their offense based on athletes who attack the line. MVSU’s zone will force UConn to shoot, but since MVSU gives up the ball frequently, expect a boatload of transition opportunities.
Another note: MVSU's home games are broadcasted with an undergraduate duo that handle the play-by-play and color. That alone, makes one of their home game streams worth watching for at least a few minutes. They're hilarious. Here's a highlight clip below.
