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It all comes down to this. The emotions of Championship Week are unrivaled. Who doesn’t love the blood, sweat and buzzer beaters? Attempting to peg who will represent their league in the Big Dance, the Big Noise gives his conference tournament leans. Merry March Madness!
Going back to the Mike Daum days, this betting enthusiast is a glutton for punishment when it comes to Jackrabbits basketball.
The program has a proud history. Cranking out quality players and coaches in recent years — Iowa State head honcho T.J. Otzelberger got his start there in 2017 — South Dakota State has consistently won. In fact, it’s tallied 20 or more wins in six of the past eight seasons, including three NCAA Tournament berths.
Omaha and St. Thomas may have outpaced them in the regular season, but with Big Dance hopes on the line, the Jackrabbits could be a juggernaut.
The pick — South Dakota State to win Summit League Tournament (+300, DraftKings)
Registering a 10-3 record over its final 13 games, SDSU is playing at its peak. During the stretch, it’s the best defensive team (No. 140 nationally) and the fourth-best offensive team (No. 31) in the Summit League, according to BartTrovik’s effective field goal percentage data.
Most impressively, the Jackrabbits repeatedly waxed opponents on the glass, ranking top-25 in the country in offensive rebounding and defensive rebounding percentage since February 1. Senior center Oscar Cluff is averaging a ridiculous 12.2 rebounds per game.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
South Dakota State also cashed on moneyballs over the last month, shooting 39.8% from the 3-point range.
Owen Larson’s absence due to a torn ACL is a tough blow, but the Jackrabbits have the muscle and depth to absorb the loss. Senior role player Isaac Lindsey’s contributions, in particular, are key.
This year’s Summit Tournament is WIDE OPEN. However in Sioux Falls, Eric Henderson’s team from nearby Brookings will leap into the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time since joining Division I in 2004.