Will Utah rewrite the school record books a second time when Mississippi Valley State comes to Salt Lake City on Tuesday?
The Utes last played the Delta Devils in November 2019 and piled up tons of single-game records during a 143-49 victory. The 94-point margin of victory was the highest in the NCAA between Division I opponents. The Utes had a Pac-12 record 41 assists and set additional team records in total points scored, second-half points (73) and field goals (57).
More recently, Utah (4-1) got back into the win column with an 84-53 victory over Utah Tech on Friday. Gabe Madsen scored a team-high 19 points, and the Utes collected 50 rebounds for the third time this season.
Utah Tech shot just 30.3 percent from the floor — the worst for any Utah opponent this season.
“We were able defensively to hold them to some season lows,” Utah coach Craig Smith said. “We had nine kills — one kill equals three straight stops, and we had nine of those. We were one more away from 10, so that’s a really good thing.”
Mississippi Valley State concludes a two-game swing through the state by playing its third consecutive Big 12 opponent.
The Delta Devils (1-5) were crushed 87-43 by BYU on Saturday after shooting just 26.9 percent from the field in the second half, when they managed just seven baskets. Ten players scored for the Cougars, who forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 24 points.
Donovan Sanders paced the Delta Devils with 14 points.
Mississippi Valley State has lost badly to all five power conference opponents it has faced this season. The Delta Devils have allowed 88.8 points per game in those games and have an average margin of defeat of 43.8 points.
Mississippi Valley State’s closest differential among the five games was 18 points in an 74-56 loss at Kansas State.
–Field Level Media
