Saint Vincent vs Delaware State prediction: Delaware State's slow, grinding defense hosts Saint Vincent in Dover
Delaware State's last-season profile was built on forcing turnovers and scoring little, which gives a mismatch against a small-college visitor a clear shape.
- Expect a slow, scrappy game in which Delaware State leans on its ball pressure to create the easy offense it struggled to find in the half court.
- Watch the Hornets' pressure on the ball: Delaware State forced turnovers at a rate that ranked 27th nationally last season.
- No spread or total is posted yet. Delaware State played at 63.6 possessions per 40 minutes last season, 351st in the country.
A defense that takes the ball
Delaware State went 8-23 last season, 2-12 in the MEAC, but it was dangerous in one way. The Hornets forced turnovers on 20.6% of opponent possessions, 27th of 365 Division I teams. Their steal rate of 11.9% ranked 45th. Against a visitor we know little about, that pressure is the most direct route to a comfortable night at Memorial Hall.
The flip side came on offense. Last season's Hornets turned it over just as often as they forced it, and their 20.6% turnover rate ranked 353rd. Ball security is the first thing to check on Monday, Nov. 2.
The half-court problem
Scoring was the weakness last season. Delaware State's effective field goal percentage, which counts threes 1.5 times, was 44.0%, 364th nationally. It made 43.8% of its twos and 29.6% of its threes, and it rarely shot from deep, ranking 359th in 3-point attempt rate. Its adjusted offensive efficiency, points per 100 possessions adjusted for opponents, finished last season dead last at 365th of 365.
Those numbers describe last season's roster. Nothing has surfaced on who returns or arrives for 2026-27, so how much of that offense carries over is an open question. The season ended close, with a 53-59 loss to North Carolina Central in the MEAC tournament semifinals on March 13. Stan Waterman coached the Hornets through his fifth season last year.
Who is Saint Vincent
The visitor is listed only as Saint Vincent. The likeliest match is Saint Vincent College of Latrobe, Pa., a Presidents' Athletic Conference program, though the schedule doesn't confirm it. That Bearcats team went 16-10 last season and ended with a 76-80 loss at Westminster in the PAC quarterfinals on Feb. 24.
No 2026-27 roster or news has surfaced for either side. Delaware State's slow pace last season, 63.6 possessions per 40 minutes, suggests a low-possession game in which turnovers decide the margin.
Numbers that matter
| Forced turnover rate (last season) | 20.6% | Ranked 27th of 365 and is Delaware State's clearest edge against this visitor. |
|---|---|---|
| Effective FG% (last season) | 44.0% | Ranked 364th, the root of an offense that finished last in adjusted efficiency. |
| Turnover rate (last season) | 20.6% | Ranked 353rd; the Hornets gave the ball away as often as they took it. |
| Pace (last season) | 63.6 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 351st nationally, pointing to a slow game. |
Saint Vincent vs Delaware State: quick answers
When is Saint Vincent vs Delaware State?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.