AVALON, Miss. (Interstat) — Two SWAC men’s basketball teams heading in opposite directions will meet Monday when the Florida A&M Rattlers visit the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at LeFlore County Civic Center. Florida A&M (5-9, 2-1 SWAC) enters on a modest upswing, having won two of its first three conference games, including a 91-84 victory over Grambling on Jan. 12. The Rattlers’ offense has shown potency in SWAC play, averaging 79 points per game in those contests. The Delta Devils (1-18, 0-3), meanwhile, are mired in an 18-game losing streak since a season-opening win. Their struggles are pronounced, having lost their three SWAC games by an average of 22.7 points. Most recently, they fell 79-63 to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. A key matchup will feature Florida A&M guard Jaquan Sanders against the Valley defense. Sanders is coming off a 24-point, 4-assist performance against Grambling and has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games, providing consistent offensive firepower. For Mississippi Valley State, guard Mussa Mzein will look to build on a 12-point effort in 38 minutes in the loss at Texas Southern, though his playing time has fluctuated significantly in recent games. The Rattlers have found balance alongside Sanders, with Micah Octave (20 points vs. Grambling) and Tyler Shirley (14 points, 4 assists) contributing. Mississippi Valley State has been plagued by offensive inconsistency, failing to reach 70 points in 15 of its 19 games this season. Historically, games at LeFlore County Civic Center have offered a potential respite for the Delta Devils, but they face a Rattlers squad gaining confidence in league play. Florida A&M will aim to capitalize on its offensive rhythm and improve its standing, while Mississippi Valley State desperately seeks a turnaround to snap its prolonged skid. Tipoff is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.