VERMILLION, S.D.—Tyler Peterson came into the University of South Dakota basketball program billed as a rough-and-tumble type. He'd never seen a basketball rolling on the court that he didn't like.
 
Four years and more than 1,000 points later, it's safe to say he's going to go out the same way. Diving for basketballs is one of the things he does. Effort is not going to be a problem.
 
At 6-4 and 210 pounds, he's big to be diving around all the time but, as those who've watched him at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center can attest, he doesn't know another way.
 
"It's always been how I've played," the native of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, said. "I might not be the most skilled player or the most athletic, but nobody is going to play harder than me or go any harder for loose basketballs. On everything I can control, and any way I can contribute, I'm going to be all in."
 
Coach Todd Lee and his teammates are all for it, too. Lee has a unique approach to coaching Peterson and fellow senior teammates Cody Kelley and Triston Simpson. His faith in them and his trust in their leadership has meant they can call the shots when they're so inclined. They can call out teammates for not hustling, direct traffic on defense, even discuss and offer alternative ideas in game preparation.
 
As Lee described it, Simpson is a great kid and doesn't yell too much. Kelley talks all the time. Peterson is right in the middle.
 
It's not a coaching plan that would work for even one practice if their teammates didn't respect them.
 
"They practice hard all the time and the group really respects that," Lee said. "All three are like that. At times they have a better idea of how we should be doing things than the coaches do. You can do it this way with certain players. With these guys I'm fine with that."


 
Peterson's role on the team has evolved, as roles often do as players gain more experience. For Peterson, who averaged 33 minutes and 11 points a game a year ago, he's done all the "controllable" things, as he calls them, while giving teammates the opportunity to do what they do best.
 
In this case, that's translated to focusing on working inside the arc.
 
"We have a lot of weapons from the perimeter," Peterson said. "Guys like Cody Kelley and Tyler Hagedorn – Hags has shot at an incredible clip on 3-point attempts. I've just tried to be aggressive in going to the rim and finishing. I've just tried to stay aggressive and keep good things happening."
 
If a typical Peterson drive took place in an actual car, parts would be flying off on the way to the hoop. It's controlled but looks a little reckless. It's clear this is how he's most comfortable playing basketball.
 
"From 15 feet and in he's an extraordinary player," Lee said. "He shoots with either hand and he led the league in free-throw percentage last year. We run some things for him and he does very well with it. He's gone away from the three this year – he's just going to do what he does best."
 
That includes being matched up most often with the opponent's most talented scorer.
 
It also includes being an all-time great teammate. Peterson applies his aggressiveness in even-tempered increments.

"He's the same every day," Lee said. "He walks around with a smile on his face all the time. Just a great attitude every day. He's got that good energy that comes naturally."
 
The hard-working attitude applies to academics as well. Though he never had a redshirt season, he completed his degree in finance in December and now is in his first semester of graduate school. Given all the travel and time commitments that come with playing Division I basketball, it means he's not spent a lot of time sitting around.
 
"I'm just trying to pack as much free education as I can into four years," Peterson said. "If I can get a semester of a masters degree under my belt, that's good for me."
 
It's another application of common sense.
 
"Sometimes as a coach you can take a guy like Tyler for granted," Lee said. "But I really try to appreciate coaching those kinds of kids. He's a great student, he's involved in the community – just the whole package."