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Hornets vs Delta Devils Picks and Predictions – Saturday January 3, 2026
Alabama State heads to Itta Bena for a SWAC matchup with Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with tip set for 6:00 PM ET at the Harrison HPER Complex. It’s a conference road spot for the Hornets, and the number is big: Alabama State is laying -13.5 against a Delta Devils team that’s struggled to win games or sustain offense.
The tricky part is the profile of the favorite. Alabama State is only 3-10 and has been shaky away from home, while Mississippi Valley State is 1-13 but at least has shown a little more life in its own building. This line is pricing “talent gap” and “floor,” not résumé, so the bet comes down to whether Alabama State can play clean enough to turn stops into separation.
Alabama State Hornets vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated college basketball odds as the market settles closer to tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State Hornets | -1100 | -13.5 (-102) | 143.5 |
| Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils | +687 | +13.5 (-118) | 143.5 |
Alabama State Hornets Betting Form
Alabama State’s last outing was ugly on the scoreboard, but the matchup here is far more forgiving. The Hornets can score enough to justify being favored, and 74.3 points per game with 8.1 made threes is the type of baseline that can cover big spreads when the defense does its job. The issue is finishing games on the road, where their margin for error has been thin.
The clean handicap angle is shot volume and shot mix. Alabama State can generate threes, and Mississippi Valley State doesn’t have the consistent offense to trade points for 40 minutes. If Alabama State’s spacing is decent and they avoid the bad turnover stretches that turn into transition buckets the other way, the game can break open in the middle 20 minutes.
For recent form and game-by-game outputs, check Alabama State Hornets stats and results.
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Betting Form
Mississippi Valley State has been in survival mode most of the season, but there’s a clear identity piece that matters for spread betting: they can score through a lead option, and they shoot free throws well at 76.2%. That’s important with a big number, because underdogs stay inside spreads by extending games at the line and stealing points when the favorite relaxes.
The bigger problem is overall efficiency. A 64.6 points-per-game offense and a 40.5% team field goal rate creates long empty stretches, and those are what turn +13.5 into a dead ticket. If the Delta Devils are not getting to the stripe and they are settling for contested jumpers, they can lose contact quickly, even at home.
For their recent results and home splits, use Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils schedule and stats.
Alabama State Hornets vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is mostly about whether Alabama State can force a normal half-court game and then turn those stops into points. Mississippi Valley State doesn’t want to play from behind because it doesn’t have the shooting profile to erase deficits quickly. If Alabama State gets a lead and starts controlling the glass, the Delta Devils are stuck chasing possessions.
The spread is large, so you have to think in terms of “cover mechanics.” Alabama State covers -13.5 if it avoids foul trouble, keeps live-ball turnovers down, and strings together a couple of 6-0 and 8-2 runs that push the margin into the mid-teens. Mississippi Valley State covers +13.5 if it can keep the pace choppy, get to the line, and make Alabama State execute late in the clock on multiple possessions.
The total at 143.5 is interesting because it can go under in a few different ways. Poor shooting plus fewer transition possessions is the obvious one. The less obvious one is a one-sided game where the favorite slows down late and bleeds clock. The risk is free throws: big spreads can mean late fouling, and Mississippi Valley State’s free-throw rate is a real lever. If you want a clean framework for balancing pace, foul rate, and end-game variance when you’re deciding between side and total, the expert betting guide lays it out well.
Alabama State Hornets vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Alabama State -13.5. Mississippi Valley State’s offensive floor is too low, and Alabama State doesn’t need to be sharp for 40 minutes, it just needs a few sustained stretches of competent offense to create separation. The Hornets’ ability to hit threes is the simplest way to build margin without relying on perfect half-court execution.
On the total, I lean under 143.5. Alabama State’s shooting is not elite and Mississippi Valley State doesn’t consistently score efficiently, so you can land under even if Alabama State wins comfortably. The under is safest if Alabama State defends without fouling and the game doesn’t devolve into a parade to the line late.
If you’re playing only one angle, I prefer the spread because the matchup disparity shows up in too many places. Mississippi Valley State has to win a lot of small battles to stay within 13.5, and that’s hard to ask from a team that’s been losing most nights.
Best Bet: Alabama State -13.5 (-102)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building out a full Saturday slate, start with the daily college basketball picks and compare matchup context across the board on the NCAAB previews hub. When you want to move quickly between teams and opponents, the NCAAB teams hub keeps the workflow clean.
For long-run performance tracking, check the best handicappers page and validate who’s actually delivering right now on the leaderboard. If you want packaged plays and more volume, you can browse options through buy picks. For broader betting angles and market discussions beyond one matchup, the main blog is a solid rotation piece, and if you’re comparing books or evaluating third-party services, you can use sportsbook reviews alongside the handicappers sites reviews section.
