Strapped for cash — and wins

Mississippi Valley State, Texas Southern and a handful of other lower-level Division I teams lead nomadic existences during nonconference play, traveling for road games with guaranteed payouts.

The odds of winning are usually small, but there are some benefits. Such as:

Most players at these schools would rather play a Michigan State than another lower-level midmajor.

The money is good for the schools’ athletic programs.

Once conference play starts, coaches say their teams will be ready.

The schedule can be a plus in recruiting.

Despite opening 0-13, the schedule is one reason Mississippi Valley guard Isaac Williams was intrigued with the Delta Devils.

“It feels like being in the NBA, honestly,” Williams said. “You’re traveling all over, and when you come out on the floor, there’s 20,000 fans booing you, and they shut the lights off for the starting lineups.”

Mississippi Valley’s nonconference schedule consists of 13 games over eight weeks in 12 cities. None are at home.

Texas Southern can relate. The Tigers (4-9) won’t play their first home this season until 2017. They open with 16 straight road games.

Veteran Texas Southern coach Mike Davis doesn’t mind being the underdog. He has been on the other end of these David-vs.-Goliath games during stints as the coach at Indiana and UAB.

“If you’re a tough guy, it can be great,” Davis said. “In our situation, you have to truly believe in the process. It’s tough to lose, but you’ve got to separate yourself from the emotion of it, fix your weaknesses and get better.”

In the process, Texas Southern and MVSU boost their athletic department coffers.

Delta Devils coach Andre Payne says his team’s schedule — which includes games at Indiana, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Michigan State and Iowa State — will earn the program a profit of about $800,000.

That’s pocket change for Division I’s biggest programs. But at MVSU, it’s about 20 percent of the athletic department’s entire budget for all 13 sports.