The Headline
Nebraska head coach Tim Miles and South Dakota head coach
Craig Smith square off against each other for the first time today when the Huskers host the Coyotes at 1 p.m. inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. Smith was an assistant coach under Miles at Nebraska from 2012-14 before taking over at South Dakota. Nebraska was the fourth place Smith served as an assistant to Miles. The two were a team at Mayville State (1996-97), North Dakota State (2001-04) and Colorado State (2007-12).
The Series
This is the 37th meeting between South Dakota and Nebraska. The Huskers have won 17 in a row dating back to the end of World War II when the Coyotes beat the Huskers 32-29 in Lincoln. Nebraska traveled to Vermillion at least four times before then, but today marks the 20th straight matchup held in Lincoln.
The Last Time
Nebraska and South Dakota last met in the season opener of the 2011-12 season. The Huskers won 65-48 behind 16 points from Caleb Walker. The Coyotes got 16 points from Louie Krogman and 10 more from Charlie Westbrook. USD shot 31 percent from the field and trailed 31-19 at the half.
About the Huskers
Nebraska lost its top two scorers from last year's 16-18 squad. Senior guard Tai Webster has helped fill the void with a team-best 17 pionts per game. Sophomore guard Glynn Watson Jr. adds 14 points a game and sophomore forward Ed Morrow Jr. adds 11. Like USD, the Huskers' rotation is filled with underclassmen. Nebraska has lost three in a row after facing UCLA, Virginia Tech and Clemson. UCLA is the only team that has shot 45 percent from the field against Nebraska.
Another BigTen Victory?
South Dakota shocked Minnesota 85-81 in double overtime last season and is playing a similar underdog role today. Incredibly, none of USD's projected starters nor the three true freshmen who average double-digit minutes off the bench competed in Minneapolis last year.
The Coyotes have lost three of four following a 5-0 start including an 84-82 decision at UMKC Wednesday. A 26-4 run in the first half proved too much to overcome.
Tyler Flack had 12 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth collegiate double-double. The 6-7 big man has scored at least 12 points in every game this season and leads the Yotes with seven boards per game.
