VERMILLION, S.D.—From the city of San Antonio a little more than four years ago, Brandon Armstrong decided he was going to go north – way north to anyone who grew up in south Texas – and attend school and play basketball in a small town in South Dakota.
 
On the map, Armstrong and the University of South Dakota do not share a lot in common. Big city kid vs. small town, for starters. And then the average high temperature in San Antonio in January is 64 degrees.
 
But there's way more to it in this case for this thoughtful and soft-spoken four-year player. Growing up in a single-parent home with three younger siblings, seeing his mother work to provide for them – it definitely accelerated the maturation process. That can translate to being able to adapt because you've had to do it before.
 
"I had to grow up a little faster than most, so I'm a little on the independent side," Armstrong said. "I love my family but in this case, coming up here was the right thing for me. Getting away was the right thing."
 
Though he'd never spent a lot of time in small towns, he had a feeling he'd like it. He was right about that, and a lot of other things, too.
 
"I learned the people here were awesome," he said. "The community here made me lock-in and realize what a great place this is."
 
On senior day this Saturday vs. North Dakota, Armstrong will join teammates Tyler Hagedorn, Tyler Peterson, Triston Simpson and Cody Kelley as USD players involved in their last regular-season game at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The connections between the five is significant. Kelley is the only transfer, but he too quickly became part of a core group that represents USD basketball.
 
"We've developed a really good bond," Armstrong said. "That includes Cody, who has been here a few years with us. He's been a great addition. He was a great guy to add to the group. I'm grateful I know them all – they're even better guys off the court, as men. It's been a blessing to be part of the journey with them."


 
For much of the time, the journey has included Armstrong coming off the bench. The 6-5 guard has been capable of supplying the Coyotes with instant offense from the perimeter over that time with the capacity to also create scoring opportunities off the dribble.
 
It's a role he's comfortable with because he's simplified it. If you want to hear about how playing in a support role as a senior is a complex situation, you're going to have to talk to someone else. There is basketball and the team. The rest of it is not worth the worry.
 
"I go out and compete every day," he said. "If you play hard, basketball will reward you. We always talk about that. Play hard, let the chips fall where they may. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. If I don't play that much and we win, well that's fine with me. Just as long as we get the win."
 
It's an attitude that goes back to learning how to adapt and adjust. On Saturday, Armstrong's father Edward, a former standout at Incarnate Word who lives in Houston, will be in attendance. That goes for his mother, too, who lives in San Antonio, as well his sister.
 
He will earn a degree in kinesiology and sport management this spring and would like to pursue a career in basketball, first as a player and then a coach. In a way, that degree qualifies as a thank-you gesture to his mother. It means the four years in South Dakota have been worth the effort.
 
"Without my mom doing everything she did, I wouldn't be here," Armstrong said. "She really did a ton to get me to this point. She always tells me how proud she is of me because I'm getting that degree. She was always trying to make ends meet for us. She always made sure we were able to do the things we wanted to do. She gave up a lot to make sure that happened."
 
It's an example that will stay with Armstrong as he goes on. It got him this far, after all, which wasn't always easy.
 
"No matter what the tough times are, whatever you have to go through, you're always able to overcome it," he said. "We've been through some tough times as a family. Being able to persevere and stay the course – knowing you can get through it – has been the biggest thing in my life. When you come to college, that's what it's about. Being able to withstand the ups and downs, especially when you play sports."