The GameHappy New Year! South Dakota hosts IUPUI on the first day of 2016 in the Summit League opener for both teams. The two teams split their season series a year ago with each team successfully defending their home courts. The Coyotes are 4-0 all-time against IUPUI inside the DakotaDome and all four wins have come by double digits.
South Dakota and IUPUI are picked to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, in the preseason Summit League poll. Based strictly on RPI, USD (120) currently ranks fourth in the Summit while IUPUI (227) ranks eighth. South Dakota is coming off an 89-81 overtime win against Florida Gulf Coast Monday in Sioux Falls. Three of the team's last four wins this year have come in overtime. IUPUI has lost its last two including a 92-54 loss at #9/10 Butler on Monday.
The SeriesSouth Dakota leads the all-time series 6-2. The Jaguars won 65-50 in Indianapolis on Jan. 24, 2015, and the Coyotes won 77-62 in Vermillion on Feb. 21, 2015. Both teams scored 127 points and pulled down 58 rebounds in the two games. IUPUI shot 56 percent from the field, but committed 40 turnovers to 25 for USD.
The JaguarsLike South Dakota, IUPUI has spent much of its first two months on the road. In 12 road trips, the Jaguars won once and that came in the season opener. Three transfers who sat out last season lead the Jaguars in scoring including junior guard Darell Combs, who averages 15 points per game. Matt O'Leary and Jordan Pickett average nine each. Preseason all-Summit League pick Marcellus Barksdale is averaging seven points and five rebounds.
Kasperbauer's Big NightSouth Dakota senior guard
Casey Kasperbauer made seven 3-pointers and scored a career-high 31 points in leading the Coyotes to their win against Florida Gulf Coast Monday. It was the most points scored in a game by a Coyote since December of 2012. Kasperbauer (226 career 3's) is two behind Jesse Becker (2005-09) for seventh place on USD's all-time 3-point field goal list. He is three behind Jeremy Kudera (1997-2001) for sixth place. Kasperbauer is the Coyotes' all-time leader in the Division I era.
Home Sweet HomeSouth Dakota is playing at home for just the fourth time this season. Only 15 NCAA Division I programs out of 351 have played fewer home games than the Coyotes. USD is 392-126 (.757) at home in 36-plus years playing inside the DakotaDome.
One Last NoteSouth Dakota is the second-highest scoring team in the Summit League at 78 points per game. The Coyotes averaged 82 points during their recent four-game road trip. IUPUI scores 66 points and allows 77 per game on average.
