South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Summit League (28-6, 13-1)
South Dakota State has lost just once since their thrilling double overtime loss at Colorado way back on December 15th. This team knows how to win and they did beat some decent teams like Iowa, Buffalo and Ole Miss in November.
Big Wins: 11/22 vs Buffalo (94-80), 11/28 at Mississippi (99-97), 2/22 South Dakota (76-72)
Bad Losses: 11/20 vs Wyoming (65-77), 12/2 vs Missouri State (53-73), 12/15 at Colorado (103-112)
Coach: T. J. Otzelberger
Why They Can Surprise:
It is no coincidence that South Dakota State has now reached the NCAA Tournament each year Mike Daum has been on the team. The 6-9 junior averages 23.8 points and 10.4 rebounds this season and is capable of putting up some very gaudy numbers. Daum will want to win a tournament game after losing to Gonzaga and Maryland in the two previous years. The emergence of Davis Jenkins, Jr. could make all of the difference. The freshman averages 16.1 points per game and has drilled 82 three-pointers. Reed Tellinghuisen is a consistent three-point shooter too and with Daum, Jenkins and Tellinghuisen all shooting long balls, the Jackrabbits can score in bunches.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Jackrabbits will score, but they need to play a little defense too. This is not a team that is going to force many turnovers at all, so the entire team needs to play solid defense in order to make things a little more difficult for the opposition. Without a shot blocker or much of a presence in the paint, teams with tough, slashing wings can get to the basket and score a little too easy.
Probable Starters:
David Jenkins, Jr., Freshman, Guard, 16.1 ppg, 1.6 apg
Skyler Flatten, Senior, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 1.2 apg
Tevin King, Junior, Guard, 9.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 spg
Reed Tellinhuisen, Senior, Guard/Forward, 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Mike Daum, Junior, Forward, 23.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Brandon Key, Junior, Guard, 6.0 ppg, 3.3 apg
Lane Severyn, Senior, Guard/Forward, 3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Ian Theisen, Senior, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 84.7 (10th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.2 (228, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.9 (66, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.3 (142, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.6 (11, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 40.2 (15, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.1 (33, 1)
Rebound Margin: 3.8 (60, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.6 (181, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.1 (11, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2016 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Maryland
2015 NIT First Round win over Colorado State
2015 NIT Second Round loss to Vanderbilt
2014 CBI First Round loss to Old Dominion
2013 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Baylor
*all team stats through 3/4
