The University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University will refuel their rivalry this weekend as both schools face-off in men’s and women’s basketball.
USD will host SDSU in women’s basketball at 2 pm CT on Saturday afternoon, while SDSU hosts USD in men’s basketball at 4:30 pm CT.
Last season, the Jackrabbits swept the Coyotes in regular season play in both men’s and women’s basketball. However, in the Summit League tournament, USD eliminated SDSU’s women’s basketball team in the semi-final round.
The Coyote women would go on to win the Summit League tournament for the first time in school history, and punch a ticket to the women’s NCAA Tournament. Going into last year’s tournament, SDSU had won five straight Summit League titles in women’s basketball and two straight in men's basketball.
So far this season the USD Coyote women’s team is 13-4 overall with a 3-1 conference record. They’re currently ranked first in the Summit League Conference. The SDSU Jackrabbit women are 12-6 overall this season, with a 3-2 conference record; they're ranked third.
USD also leads SDSU in conference standings in men’s basketball. The Coyote men are 9-9 this season with a 3-1 conference record. SDSU is 12-7 overall, but hey have a 3-2 conference record. USD currently sits at the number three spot, while SDSU sits one spot lower at number four.
Obviously the season is still early, especially from a Summit League perspective, and both Brookings and Vermillion are set to make things tough on the opposing rivals this weekend.
Coming into this weekend, SDSU currently leads the South Dakota Showdown Series 4-3. To see the showdown series score and schedule, click here.
Midco Sports Net will broadcast the SDSU vs USD men’s game on Saturday January 17. That game begins at 4:30 pm CT.
