South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Summit (23-10, 12-4)
South Dakota State finished the regular season on a strong note. After losing their first two Summit League games, the Jackrabbits found their rhythm and won 12 of their next 13 before falling at South Dakota in their regular season finale. That was enough to earn a share of the conference title and earn the #1 seed in the conference tournament.
Big Wins: 12/9 at St. Louis (62-55), 12/20 at Utah State (68-65), 1/24 at Oral Roberts (76-72)
Bad Losses: 11/17 at Idaho (77-82), 1/2 at Denver (69-76), 2/5 at Fort Wayne (74-84)
Coach: Scott Nagy
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Scott Nagy’s team works through big man Cody Larson. The 6-9 senior is a team leader with 14.0 points and 7.1 rebounds. When the offense remembers to feed the big man, this is a relatively dynamic offense. The backcourt trio of Deondre Parks, George Marshall and Jake Bittle can take advantage of a sagging defense. Parks is the most versatile scorer on the team. He can knock down shots and is not afraid to attack the basket and at least get to the charity stripe. Marshall is mostly a shooter, while Bittle leads the team in assists and steals and is second to Larson in rebounding. Freshman forward Reed Tellinghuisen has not been consistent, but he is certainly a threat to stretch out the defense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
South Dakota State has not really proved that they can beat anybody in the tournament. Their toughest games, against teams like Buffalo, Florida Gulf Coast, Utah and Northern Iowa were all losses. And the Summit League has certainly been tougher the last few years than it has been this season. Just how well this team is prepared for the talented team, or teams, they will see in the postseason remains to be seen.
Probable Starters:
Deondre Parks, Junior, Guard, 14.1 ppg, 1.9 apg
George Marshall, Junior, Guard, 13.0 ppg, 2.0 apg
Jake Bittle, Junior, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 2.7 apg, 4.4 rpg
Reed Tellinghuisen, Freshman, Forward, 8.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Cody Larson, Senior, Forward, 14.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Zach Horstman, Senior, Forward, 4.4 ppg, 2.5 ppg
Keaton Moffitt, Junior, Guard, 3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.5 (42nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.1 (114, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.9 (67, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.5 (68, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (39, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.2 (46, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (115, 4)
Rebound Margin: 2.5 (96, 1)
Assists Per Game: 12.1 (213, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (86, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 CBI First Round loss to Old Dominion
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to Michigan
2013 NCAA Second Round win over Oklahoma
2013 NCAA Third Round loss to Florida Gulf Coast
2012 NCAA Second Round loss to Baylor
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
