Men’s Hoops Host Conference Leader Omaha Saturday

MBB vs. Omaha

VERMILLION, S.D. --Amid a home stand that consists of the next four-of-five games at home, the South Dakota men's basketball team will host the Omaha Mavericks on Saturday in the second half of the doubleheader at 3:30 p.m.

The Game
The Coyotes are coming off winning their first Summit game of the season last Sunday while Omaha sits atop the standings after taking care of business against North Dakota on Wednesday night. Triston Simpson is three points shy of 1,000 career points while Tyler Peterson is 13 points away.

The Mavericks (10-8, 3-0 SL)
Omaha defeated North Dakota 66-62 on Wednesday before making the trip to Vermillion. The Mavericks lost its top-two scorers in Zach Jackson and Mitch Hahn but return Preseason All-Summit League Second Teamers JT Gibson and Matt Pile.

Gibson averages 14.6 points while Pile averages 11.6 points a contest. Senior KJ Robinson is second on the team in scoring with 13.1 a game. The Mavericks have started League play on the right foot after slipping past South Dakota State at home and taking care of business against Oral Roberts and North Dakota to start 3-0. During nonconference play, Omaha defeated a Power-Five school in Washington State 85-77.

As a team, the Mavericks average 71.7 points per game while giving up 74.5 points. Omaha shoots 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep.

The Coyotes (10-7, 1-2 SL)
South Dakota defeated Denver last Sunday to earn its first win of the conference season. The 'Yotes started the season off with a bang before being plagued with injuries and illnesses. Senior Triston Simpson returned to the starting lineup against Western Illinois after missing seven games due to an MCL injury.

The Coyotes have four that average double digits in points and are led by Tyler Hagedorn with 18.2 points per game which ranks first in the Summit. Hagedorn is also the nation's most efficient 3-point shooter (37-70, 52.9 percent) and ranks seventh in the League in rebounds. Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, Stanley Umude, averages 16.6 points a contest which is second on the team and fifth in the conference. Senior Cody Kelley chips in with 10.8 points a game while shooting an efficient 48.6 percent from deep which ranks second in the Summit.

As a team, the Coyotes shoot 47.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep which ranks ninth nationally. USD averages 75.5 points per game while giving up 73.4 points.

The Series
South Dakota holds a 57-50 lead all-time and have a 34-17 lead in games played in Vermillion. USD has won the last 3-of-5 matchups.

One Last Thing
Tyler Hagedorn and Cody Kelley rank in the top-10 nationally in 3-point percentage. Hagedorn is the nation's leader while Kelley ranks sixth in the nation. Tyler Peterson also shoots at a high percentage from the field as he ranks fifth in the Summit with a 57.4 percent clip.

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