Why Delaware Is MMH's Conference USA Sleeper for 2026-27
2026-10-08
Delaware enters its second season in Conference USA with a preseason question: is this a tenth-place roster, or a team capable of changing the middle of the league?
Bart Torvik projects Delaware tenth. Blue Ribbon also places the Blue Hens tenth. MMH has Delaware sixth, with a projected 9-9 conference record. That four-place difference makes Delaware our Conference USA sleeper.
Sixth place isn't a championship prediction. It's a bet that Delaware's roster has more offensive options and positional flexibility than the two outside rankings imply—and that enough of those pieces can fit together quickly.
Why MMH Sees More Upside
The argument begins on the perimeter. Devin Dinkins averaged 12.1 points and 2.6 assists at Manhattan in 2025-26. His production suggests the ability to initiate offense, but a 36.5% field-goal percentage makes efficiency the first hurdle. Delaware needs Dinkins to create good shots without allowing difficult possessions to pile up.
Chuck Bailey III offers a different skill set. He averaged 6.3 points per game at Nevada and shot 39.4% from three. His shooting could stretch defenses and create driving lanes, particularly if Delaware can put multiple credible threats on the court together. The question is whether Bailey can turn a supporting role into consistent production with more responsibility.
DeShawn Harris-Smith gives Delaware an intriguing wing option with major-conference experience. He appeared in only six games for Georgetown in 2025-26, averaging 5.2 points, so his projection carries substantial uncertainty. A healthy, effective Harris-Smith would help Delaware's size and versatility on the perimeter; MMH isn't treating six games as proof of a full-season breakout.
The Frontcourt Could Change the Equation
Kachi Nzeh averaged 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds at Little Rock and shot 41.5% from three. That combination offers Delaware a way to stretch the floor from a bigger position. If his outside shooting translates, Nzeh could keep the lane open for the guards and force opposing frontcourts to defend more space.
Steven Solano is a 7-foot interior option, but he appeared in only eight games at Saint Joseph's last season. He offers potential size and rim presence, not a verified high-minute production baseline. Delaware will need more than measurements: rebounding, defensive positioning and foul discipline will determine whether the interior group can support a winning conference team.
There are other options, including Jameel Brown, but several players arrive with limited recent samples. The depth chart is an MMH projection, not an announced coaching rotation.
How Delaware Could Beat Its Projection
| The swing factor | What Delaware needs |
|---|---|
| Guard efficiency | Dinkins creates shots without a high turnover or difficult-shot burden. |
| Perimeter spacing | Bailey's three-point shooting remains dependable in a larger role. |
| Wing availability | Harris-Smith contributes consistently across a full season. |
| Frontcourt fit | Nzeh's shooting translates while Solano and the other bigs rebound and defend. |
| Team chemistry | A rebuilt lineup develops clear roles before conference play. |
If those things happen together, the Blue Hens have a plausible route into Conference USA's top four. If the guards struggle to make efficient decisions or the frontcourt cannot hold up defensively, the more pessimistic forecasts may prove correct.
The Preseason Disagreement
| Projection | Delaware's CUSA Rank |
|---|---|
| MMH | 6 |
| Bart Torvik | 10 |
| Blue Ribbon | 10 |
The outside consensus is not something to dismiss. Torvik's preseason projection raises real concerns about the team's overall efficiency, and Blue Ribbon's placement reinforces the amount Delaware still has to prove. MMH's case rests on the range of possible outcomes, especially if the newcomers' individual strengths complement one another better than expected.
MMH Outlook
Projected finish: 6th (9-9). Upside: Top four.
Delaware does not have to win Conference USA to justify the sleeper label. Finishing in the upper half, outperforming the two tenth-place forecasts, or entering the tournament as a dangerous matchup would all support the thesis.
For Delaware, the difference between a long season and a surprising one likely comes down to two things: how efficiently its guards play together, and whether its rebuilt frontcourt can defend well enough to keep the offense in games.
These are MMH editorial preseason projections, not official conference selections or outputs from MMH Model V1. Historical player statistics refer to the 2025-26 season unless otherwise specified.