It's been one and done for Mississippi Valley State in the first two seasons under head coach Sean Woods at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.
But Woods believes this year's team has what it takes to not only get past the first round but make a run at a championship.
The Delta Devils, the No. 3 seed after a 12-6 league mark, will need to win three games in three days to capture the tournament title and grab the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
"That's our goal, no doubt, to get this program back in the Big Dance," Woods said.
The first step comes Thursday against No. 6 seed Grambling (10-20) in the opening round. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. in Garland, Texas.
MVSU swept the season series with Grambling, winning 94-74 on Jan. 31 and then struggling to a 66-63 overtime victory 10 days ago.
"We were not at full strength in that game, but I was pleased at how we reacted in overtime in a game that should have never been that close," Woods said. "I sat out two key reserves in Terrence Joyner and William Pugh, and didn't have Jason Holmes back yet from injury.
"Jason is ready to go now, and we are fully loaded for the first time in awhile. That's why I feel good about our chances in the tournament."
If the Delta Devils can continue their strong guard play, Woods believes they have as good a chance as any team in the eight-team field.
Valley's guard play is led by first-team All-SWAC performer D'Angelo Jackson, who ranks ninth in the league in scoring in SWAC play with 13.1 points a game and ninth in assists with 3.1 per contest.
If Valley gets past the first round, instate rival Jackson State will likely be waiting in the semifinals on Friday. No. 2 seed JSU played No. 7 seed Prairie View today.
J-State swept the season series Valley. The Tigers are the only team in the SWAC that the Delta Devils haven't beaten this season.
JSU has been a thorn in the side of Woods, who is just 1-5 against J-State in his three seasons as head coach.
"We've got everybody on the same page now, so hopefully the outcome will be different," said the Valley coach. "But we've got to worry about Grambling first. Our guys understand that we can't mess around with them."
• WOMEN: The No. 5-seeded Valley women (13-16) open the tournament at 5:30 p.m. Thursday against No. 4 seed Alabama A&M (15-13).
The two teams split in the regular season, with A&M winning 60-49 in early January and MVSU winning 76-75 in double overtime in early February.
The Devilettes are the hottest team in the league entering the postseason, riding a SWAC-best four-game winning streak.
Thursday's winner advances to the semifinals Friday to face the winner of the Jackson State-Prairie View contest.
The Devilettes, under the direction of coach Nate Kilbert, are looking for their first SWAC Tournament title since 1993.
• Contact Bill Burrus at bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
