ATLANTA—No. 17/11 South Dakota women's basketball tops the charts of the WBCA Academic Top 25 announced today by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The Coyotes boast a 2019-20 grade-point average of 3.79 for tops in NCAA Division I.
This marks the fifth-straight year of the Coyotes ranking in the WBCA's Academic Top-25, with South Dakota ranking in the top-five four out of those five seasons.
"I am just so impressed with how our young ladies have approached their commitment to being their absolute best – in the classroom, on the court and in our community," said USD head coach
Dawn Plitzuweit. "It so incredible to be recognized by the WBCA as the top academic team in the nation! This is a great way to cap off a very special year and we are so very proud of our young ladies."
South Dakota (30-2) was the only program on the WBCA's academic list to finish in the Associated Press Top 25. The Coyotes were led in the classroom and on the court by three-time Academic All-American
Ciara Duffy. Guard
Chloe Lamb joined Duffy on the Academic All-Summit League team. All 13 eligible players made the Summit's honor roll this year as well.
The WBCA annually recognizes the top-25 GPAs for programs in NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and the junior college levels. This marks the 25th year the WBCA has compiled the honor roll.
"The WBCA applauds these head coaches and their teams for their commitment to academic excellence," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "We appreciate and value the hard work and dedication the players and coaches have put forth to thrive in the classroom and on the basketball court."
The Summit League boasts four of the teams in the WBCA's Academic Top-25. Top-ranked South Dakota is joined by Western Illinois (4), South Dakota State (t-11) and Purdue Fort Wayne (24).
A complete list of the NCAA Division I WBCA Academic Top 25 is included below.
NCAA Division I
| Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
| 1 |
University of South Dakota |
Dawn Plitzuweit |
3.793 |
| 2 |
Youngstown State University |
John Barnes |
3.782 |
| 3 |
Robert Morris University |
Charlie Buscaglia |
3.777 |
| 4 |
Western Illinois University |
JD Gravina |
3.751 |
| 5 |
Southern Utah University |
Tracy Sanders |
3.742 |
| 6 |
Bowling Green State University |
Robyn Fralick |
3.726 |
| 7 |
Houston Baptist University |
Donna Finnie |
3.723 |
| 8 |
Lipscomb University |
Lauren Sumski |
3.714 |
| 9 |
Belmont University |
Bart Brooks |
3.709 |
| 10 |
Marist College |
Brian Giorgis |
3.698 |
| T11 |
Northern Illinois University |
Lisa Carlsen |
3.696 |
| T11 |
South Dakota State University |
Aaron Johnson |
3.696 |
| 13 |
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay |
Kevin Borseth |
3.692 |
| 14 |
Drake University |
Jennie Baranczyk |
3.690 |
| T15 |
Lehigh University |
Susan Troyan |
3.665 |
| T15 |
Loyola University Maryland |
Joe Logan |
3.665 |
| 17 |
University of Maine |
Amy Vachon |
3.655 |
| T18 |
Bucknell University |
Trevor Woodruff |
3.651 |
| T18 |
Lafayette College |
Kia Damon-Olson |
3.651 |
| T20 |
Northern Arizona University |
Loree Payne |
3.646 |
| T20 |
University of Wyoming |
Gerald Mattinson |
3.646 |
| 22 |
University of Montana |
Shannon Schweyen |
3.634 |
| 23 |
Purdue University Fort Wayne |
Niecee Nelson |
3.631 |
| 24 |
Southern Illinois University |
Cindy Stein |
3.625 |
| 25 |
Cornell University |
Dayna Smith |
3.619 |
