Mid-major showdown between Coyotes, No. 18 Gonzaga up next

The Game

South Dakota and No. 18 Gonzaga, two of the top mid-majors in recent years, take the court at 2 p.m. Monday as a part of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic held at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. While no fans will be permitted in attendance due to precautions involving the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the game will be broadcast by FloHoops (subscription required). Fans can also tune in to the Coyote Sports Network with Carter Woodiel on KVHT 106.3 FM in Yankton/Vermillion or by using the TuneIn app.

FloHoops is a subscription service available in both annual ($150/year) and monthly ($29.99/month) packages. The subscription provides exclusive content such as live events, replays and original programming. To stream to a television, download the FloSports app on AppleTV, Roku or Fire TV, or screen cast to a smart TV.

The Coyotes

South Dakota (0-1) opened the season Saturday with No. 1 South Carolina, falling 81-71. The Coyotes were balanced in the win with 18 points from senior Chloe Lamb, a career-high 16 from senior Liv Korngable, a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards from senior Hannah Sjerven and 12 points by freshman Maddie Krull.

The defending Summit champs, who were receiving votes in both preseason national polls, set a school record for scoring offense last season with an average of 81.4 points per game. The average ranked eighth nationally, while USD also ranked in the top-10 nationally for both field-goal percentages. Defensively, the Coyotes held opponents to 55 points last season, which ranked 19th nationally. The Coyotes are 69-0 when holding foes under 60 points during Plitzuweit's tenure.

The Bulldogs

No. 18/20 Gonzaga (0-1) also faced No. 1 South Carolina in its season opener, falling 79-72 on Sunday. Seniors Jenn Wirth and Jill Townsend led the Zags with 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Vanderbilt transfer Cierra Walker added 13.

No. 18 Gonzaga is ranked in the preseason AP poll for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs reached as high as No. 11 last season. Townsend returns as the reigning WCC Player of the Year, making the preseason Naismith trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch lists. Gonzaga had the nation's third-best defense in the country a year ago, holding opponents to 51.9 points per game and foes made just 35 percent from the field against the Zags.