Mississippi Valley State just delivered what might be the craziest “loss” of the year, falling 77-64 to Washington, but this wasn’t just any defeat. This game marked the Delta Devils’ “best loss” in over a decade, shattering a truly brutal streak that has haunted the program.
A Loss That Felt Like a Win
For a team that went 3-30 last season, with wins only against Mississippi U for Women, Texas Southern, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a 13-point defeat might not sound like much. But for Mississippi Valley State, it was monumental. This 77-64 score against Washington was the first time since the 2012-13 campaign that the Delta Devils lost by less than 15 points to high-major competition. Think about that for a second: a streak of 57 consecutive losses to high-major opponents by at least 15 points. FIFTY-SEVEN straight games. That’s a drought so long, it feels like forever. The last time they were this competitive against a top-tier team was in 2012 when they lost 86-81 to Northwestern. So while it’s still a loss on the stat sheet, this game against Washington is going down as their most competitive defeat against a high-major opponent in well over a decade.
The Most Absurd Schedule in College Hoops?
The wild part? This competitive loss is happening right in the middle of one of the most grueling nonconference schedules imaginable. The Delta Devils aren’t getting a single home game until January 9. That’s right, they’re kicking off the season with a staggering 16 consecutive road games, all of them “buy games” where they get paid to play. And the opponents are no joke. Over the next month and a half, Mississippi Valley State is staring down matchups against Oregon, Oregon State, Arkansas, Michigan, UConn, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Texas Tech, and Baylor. It’s a gauntlet designed to toughen them up and fill the coffers, as they’re earning upward of $100,000 apiece for those games. It’s a smart financial move, but man, it’s brutal on the court. To put it in perspective, since results were tracked in 1978, MVSU has played 1,457 basketball games and has *never* beaten a high-major opponent.
So, what’s next for the Delta Devils after breaking that ridiculous 57-game streak? More road battles, more grind, and the hope of perhaps another competitive loss or, dare we say, a massive upset. Their first home game on January 9 against Prairie View A&M must feel like a lifetime away. They’ve shown a spark, now they just need to keep that fire going through the toughest stretch in college basketball.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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