South Dakota's longest road trip of the season has concluded and the Coyotes start their longest homestand of the season Tuesday with a mid-major battle against Drake. Tip is 7 p.m. inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
How to Watch
A FREE stream is available on GoYotes.com/watch.
 
How to Listen
Carter Woodiel from the Coyote Sports Network is providing a radio broadcast. You can listen to the broadcast here.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota (4-4) is trying to snap a three-game skid. The program knew it would be tough to replace the production of last year's starting five, but now injuries have made the task that much greater. Sophomore point guard Grace Larkins scored a career-high 30 points last time out, but even that wasn't enough to get past Northern Colorado Friday. Still, USD will need to bring firepower against a Drake lineup that has yet to be held to fewer than 80 points in a game this season.
 
The Bulldogs
Drake is a senior-laden team whose players are trying to check one last box – competing in the NCAA tournament. An overtime loss against Iowa and an 18-point win against Nebraska this year are good building blocks, but these next few games are crucial as well. Drake's first NET ranking is 60, which needs to get better if Drake wants to compete for an at-large bid during conference play. The Bulldogs can't lose tonight and likely need to make some fireworks at Creighton Saturday and later in the month at Iowa State.
 
The top-five scorers and all but one starter return from a team that advanced to the third round of last year's WNIT before bowing out at South Dakota State. Senior forward Maggie Bair leads the way so far with 16 points and 7.5 boards per game. Five Drake players are averaging double-digits for points.
 
The Series
South Dakota and Drake are meeting for the 13^th time with the series tied at six wins apiece. Drake won the first four matchups, which took place in the early 1980s. USD has won six of eight in the last 10-plus years. The Coyotes truly shut down the Bulldogs last year in Des Moines to earn a 61-46 victory.
 
One Last Thing
South Dakota coach Kayla Karius was an assistant for Drake coach Allison Pohlman last year. Pohlman is in her second season as head coach of the Bulldogs following more than a decade on the bench at Drake.