In-Conference Futility Streaks

Since the first league games will be played at the end of this week, I thought it might be interesting to make a list of the longest active losing streaks for each team against a conference opponent. Such a list can help us keep track of which games might have an added element of competitiveness because of long streaks of futility. Those streaks are presented below along with any 4-year winning percentages that are under .300.

Information obtained from the records of BBState.com

IPFW
- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 8 games to Oakland
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .100 against IUPUI; .200 against Oakland

IUPUI

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 3 games to Oral Roberts
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .214 against Oral Roberts

NORTH DAKOTA STATE

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 4 games to IPFW, IUPUI, and Oakland
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .222 against Oakland

OAKLAND

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 1 game to IUPUI
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: N/A

ORAL ROBERTS

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 6 games to Oakland
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: N/A

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 10 games to North Dakota State; 6 games to Oakland
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .000 against North Dakota State; .100 against Oakland; .222 against Oral Roberts

SOUTHERN UTAH

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 18 games to Oral Roberts
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .000 against Oral Roberts

UMKC

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 12 games to Oral Roberts; 10 games to Oakland
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .000 against Oral Roberts; .083 against Oakland; .222 against North Dakota State

WESTERN ILLINOIS

- Longest Active Losing Streak(s): 10 games to Oakland; 7 games to IPFW; 6 games to IUPUI
- Worst 4-year winning percentages: .090 against Oakland and IUPUI; .100 to IPFW and Oral Roberts

After reading through this list, there are a few series that will be very interesting to watch this season:

- Can Southern Utah end a decade of futility against Oral Roberts? The Thunderbirds have lost 18 straight games to the Golden Eagles -- by far the longest losing streak in the Summit League. This will be their last year to finally pick up a win.

- Can South Dakota State breakthrough against North Dakota State. The Bison have owned the Jackrabbits since they both bounced up to Division I several years ago. The Jacks have lost 10 straight, and their games should be especially intriguing this season.

- Several teams have lost more than five straight games to Oakland due to the team's two-year run of dominance in the Summit League. Which streaks will end this year?