BYU basketball is all set to make a comeback as it gears up to host Mississippi Valley State at the Marriott Center. This will be the first encounter between the two teams since 2017. Saturday marks the fourth time these teams have faced off, and BYU holds a 3-0 record against Mississippi Valley. The team enters the game with an impressive 4-0 record, while the Delta Devils come in with a 1-4 record, aiming to end their current three-game losing streak. Mississippi Valley State is ranked a lowly 364th in college basketball. It's the fifth and final home game of a season-opening five-game homestand for BYU.

BYU Basketball's Homecoming Showdown with Mississippi Valley State

BYU's Recent Dominant Win

BYU recently had a dominant win against Idaho. Fousseyni Traore and Richie Saunders had career-high nights, with Traore scoring 29 points and Saunders adding 26. While the team is shooting 36.2% from behind the arc, the forwards have been making significant plays in the paint when teams focus on defending the outside shots. University of Utah transfer Keba Keita leads the team in rebounds, averaging 10.2 rebounds per game. However, he suffered an ankle injury in the win over Idaho last Saturday, and his status for Saturday night's game against the Delta Devils is uncertain.Along the guard line, redshirt junior Dawson Baker has been a standout performer this season. The former UC Irvine transfer is shooting an impressive 43.8% from three. "We have a really deep team in every position," Baker said. "We have shooting, we have passing, we have ball handling, we have good decision-makers, and we've got good defenders. I think all-around play will be really special for us."

Freshman Star Egor Demin's Shining Performance

Freshman star Egor Demin continues to make his mark as a playmaker for BYU. He has earned his second Big 12 Newcomer of the Week recognition in as many weeks. The 6-foot-9 guard is currently ranked 26th in the nation in assists, averaging 7.5 assists and 17 points per game. "He's just super unselfish," Baker said about Demin. "He's always willing to make the right play, which is super special."

Getting to Know the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Mississippi Valley is currently on a three-game losing streak with an overall record of 1-4. Some players to watch out for are Arthur Tate, Alvin Stredic, and Donovan Sanders. These three players score the majority of the Delta Devils' points. Sanders leads in assists, and Stredic is strong in rebounds.

BYU vs. Mississippi Valley State Projections

According to various metrics, BYU is expected to have a dominant win. KenPom predicts a score of BYU 89, Mississippi Valley State 54 with a 99.9% win probability. ESPN BPI also favors BYU with a 99% win probability. Bart Torvik projects a score of BYU 92, MS Valley 54 with a 99% win probability. Haslam Metrics gives a score of BYU 87, MS Valley 54.Ally Braithwaite, a KSL NewsRadio & KSL Sports intern, assists with BYU football and basketball coverage. She is a current Journalism major at Brigham Young University. Follow her on X: @allyb_7.Follow @allyb_7