South Dakota vs. South Dakota State Picks and Predictions, Saturday, January 7th, 2026
Use Code WWWC The South Dakota Coyotes (13-12) and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (11-13) will meet in a conference battle in the Summit League for supremacy in South Dakota in this South Dakota vs. South Dakota State prediction. The South Dakota Coyotes are 5-5 in league play, sitting third in the division, while South Dakota State is 5th with a 4-5 record. Keep reading to see our South Dakota vs. South Dakota State prediction, and keep up with all of our best NCAAB Betting Picks!
South Dakota Battles for the Top
The South Dakota Coyotes are in the middle of the Summit League standings, but would need a lot of things to go their way to get to the top. The Coyotes are 5-5 in league play, but are a full three games behind North Dakota in third place. In their last game, the Coyotes were led by Cameron Fens win 23 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Kansas City.
Fens is their starting center, he is a 7'0 senior who is averaging 13.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG on the season. Fens began his career with Illinois-Chicago, but has been with South Dakota over the past two seasons. Their top scorer on the year has been Isaac Bruns, the junior guard has been on fire lately and is getting 20.8 PPG and 5.1 RPG. Their third scorer is 6'3 junior guard Junior Crawford who is getting 14.1 PPG.
South Dakota is currently ranked 284th out of 365 Division I teams according to KenPom. They are 210th in offensive efficiency and 322nd in defensive efficiency. The Coyotes are ranked 37th in the nation in pace of play, playing at a fast tempo.
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Jackrabbits Drop Three of Four
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are running out of time to make a run in the Summit League for the regular season title, but will still have the opportunity to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament if they can run the conference tournament. The Jackrabbits have dropped three of their last four, and are looking to grab a big win over their in-state rival in this matchup.
In their last game, South Dakota State was led by Joe Sayler with 16 points in their home loss against St. Thomas-Minnesota. Sayler is their 6'3 sophomore guard who is leading the team with 50 made threes, and is their top scorer with 13.6 PPG. Sayler is in his second season with the team after averaging 12.7 PPG last season as a freshman. Their second leading scorer is Damon Wilkinson, he is a 6'10 sophomore who eats up space in the middle while getting 13.0 PPG and 6.5 RPG. Jaden Jackson runs the point as a 6'0 junior bringing 12.9 PPG and 2.7 APG.
South Dakota State is ranked 208th overall according to KenPom. They are 174th in offensive efficiency and 238th in defensive efficiency. They play slower than their opponent, ranking only 166th in pace of play.
Key Injuries for South Dakota vs. South Dakota St.:
South Dakota
- None listed
South Dakota St.
- None listed
South Dakota vs. South Dakota St. Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for South Dakota vs. South Dakota St.
- South Dakota State -10 (5 units)
These teams are both in the middle of the pack in the Summit League, but South Dakota State is at home, and has the best big man in the game, which will be enough to get the win and cover here. Wilkinson is a 6'10 athletic big who will control the paint at home, and he is surrounded by shooters which will make life easy for the home team. Sayler is their top scorer, and has 50 made threes on the year. The Jackrabbits will be able to take this game at home and climb the league standings.
Take South Dakota State to cover.
Over/Under Pick for South Dakota vs. South Dakota St.
- Under 157.5 (4 units)
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are at home, they play at a slower pace, and have the better post game in this matchup, which will lead to an under. The Jackrabbits are only 166th in the nation in pace of play, and are playing against a South Dakota team that likes to push the tempo. SD State will slow this game down to play towards their strength, as they do not want to get into a track meet with the Coyotes who typically play at a faster pace. The home team slows this game down in an under.
Take the under.
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