The South Dakota men's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of the Sanford Coyote Sports Center Saturday hosting Western Illinois at 3:30 p.m.
 
The Game
South Dakota, who played three games over six days on an 1,800-mile road trip, is coming off a win at North Dakota Wednesday night. Western Illinois has not played since Jan. 19, an 87-58 rout of Purdue Fort Wayne.
 
The Promotions

• National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic: As we get ready to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 6, the University of South Dakota Athletic Department will host a clinic for youth.
• Post-Game Layups: Kids are invited to line up in the aisle between Section 101 and 102 after the game to participate in our post-game layup line.
• Student Giveaway: First 500 students will receive a stocking cap courtesy of POET.

It's time for the annual Food Fight game! Help us collect funds and nonperishable food items.

We will have student-athletes throughout the Sanford Coyote Sports Center for our doubleheader vs. Western Illinois on Saturday, January 26th!

Donate online at https://t.co/3NF6aSbU7o. pic.twitter.com/0xE2FF8JJi

— South Dakota Coyotes (@SDCoyotes) January 23, 2019

 
What's with the Sneakers?
As part of the Suits and Sneakers Week, the South Dakota coaching staff will join coaches around the country in wearing sneakers during Saturday's game to raise awareness about the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. The initiative is organized by Coaches vs. Cancer – a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
 
Since its inception, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $115 million to support the American Cancer Society and save lives. Thanks to Coaches vs. Cancer supporters, the American Cancer Society is providing hope to millions of cancer patients and their families. The Society offers free rides to treatment, a live 24/7 helpline, and free lodging near hospitals for people dealing with every type of cancer.
 
The Leathernecks
Western Illinois has dropped four of its last five games, but its win was in its last outing on Jan. 19 hosting Purdue Fort Wayne. The Leathernecks hit 15 3-point attempts and shot just two free throws in the 87-58 rout of the Mastodons. C.J. Duff went off for 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting including eight from deep. Kobe Webster tallied 16 points and Zion Young added 10.
 
The Leathernecks were picked to finish ninth in the preseason Summit League poll and hold a 2-5 league record. Sitting at 7-13 on the season, Western Illinois owns five Division I wins including victories over Denver and Purdue Fort Wayne. In a common effort, WIU picked, like USD, picked up one of the three wins in the Summit League vs. WAC Challenge when the Leathernecks topped Chicago State.
 
Webster, an all-newcomer team selection a year ago, leads Western Illinois at 17.9 points per game. Isaac Johnson and Duff join him in double digits at 12.1 and 10.7 points per game, respectively. Brandon Gilbeck, the reigning Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, leads the nation with 77 blocks and grabs a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota is 9-11 on the season and 3-4 in Summit League action after toppling North Dakota 70-56 Wednesday night. All seven Coyotes who saw action in the game scored at least six points led by juniors Brandon Armstrong and Triston Simpson with 13 each. Senior Trey Burch-Manning made his return to the lineup after missing four games with a foot injury. He tallied nine points and grabbed eight rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
 
Stanley Umude, who has scored in double figures in 10-straight games, leads USD with 13.7 points per game. That average increases to 19.3 points per contest over seven Summit League games. Simpson and fellow junior Tyler Peterson average 12.8 and 11.6 points per game. Burch-Manning tallies 12.3 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per outing.
 
The Coyotes' defense is tops in the Summit League, giving up just 67.3 points per game. That is best in the league by 4.2 points. USD also does not turn the ball over, committing just 11.6 turnovers per game, ranking 43^rd in the nation.
 
The Series
South Dakota holds an 11-7 series lead and has won nine of the last 10 meetings. In games played in Vermillion, the Coyotes hold a 6-2 advantage over the Leathernecks.
 
One Last Thing
According to KenPom.com, an advanced analysis for college basketball, the Coyote defense forces their opponent into a turnover on 19.4 percent of its possessions in Summit League games. That is the best mark in the league, as the Coyotes force 13.1 turnovers per game.