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UND (8-10, 2-2) @ SDSU (13-7, 4-1) 1/15 7 PM


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UND went down to Tulsa and despite a strong effort from Walter and Stewart, the hot shooting of Max Abmas was too much to overcome as UND fell back to .500 in conference play.  They will look to turn it around as they head down I-29 to play SDSU in Brookings.

About SDSU:

One could argue that the gold standard of the Summit League has been SDSU, who has gone to the NCAA tournament 5 out of the last 8 years.  However one could also say that last year was the one that got away.  SDSU was fully loaded that year with a lethal 1-2 punch with Mike Daum and David Jenkins.  This was going to be the team that finally would give the Bunnies what they craved, their first win in the NCAA tournament.  It was all set for them as they entered Sioux Falls as the number 1 seed.

Then.... it happened

Western Illinois happened

Suddenly, the dream season ended with a thud and a trip not to the NCAA, but to the NIT, where they were bounced in the first round.  Saying goodbye to Daum was hard enough, but then another blow as David Jenkins transferred out to UNLV to join Otz, who left to take the coaching job at UNLY.  The losses of Flatten and King also hurt as well to graduation.  One must thing with a new coach and a young squad, it would be more of a transition year for SDSU.

Funny thing... it looks like business as usual.  SDSU sits at 4-1 and could be at 5-0 if not for a buzzer beating loss. This young squad has been exceeding expectations so far, but they are about to enter a huge 4 game stretch where they will be tested.  @USD, home against the Bison, and @ ORU for a chance at a season sweep.  A good stretch could establish them as a contender and with the amount of youth on this squad, could lead to yet another multi-year run of Summit Titles for SDSU.

About Coach Henderson:

Eric Henderson is in his first year after Otz left for UNLV.  So far (13-7, 4-1 Summit), he has had a solid 1st year at the helm.  He knows the league well as he has spend 2 years at NDSU as an assistant and then 3 years as an SDSU assistant before getting the head gig.  He has some shoes to fill behind what Nagy and Otz left, multiple Summit League titles, but perhaps he can deliver the one thing that those two couldn't do:  Win a game in the NCAA tournament.  Perhaps he has the group that can do just that, perhaps not this year... but in a year or two.

Key Player: Douglas Wilson (6'7 Junior Forward)

The JUCO transfer has been a godsend for SDSU, as he has turned into one of the better big men in the Summit.  2nd in the league in scoring, he does most of his damage inside the 3 point line.  He will get to the line but can either have good streaks at the line or bad streaks at the line.  He has held his own against good posts in this league (25 against ORU) and has 2 30+ point performances on his ledger this season (31 against Denver). Averages nearly 7 rebounds a game and can get the occasional double-double.  Should be on the short list for Newcomer of the Year in the Summit.  Rebraca and Walter need to be ready to handle him, perhaps even a little DAE too. 

Series History:

While UND leads the all time series 106-85, they are only 34-56 in Brookings.  In D1 play, SDSU leads 6-1 and has won 6 in a row, although most of those game have been close in this series, minus two SDSU blowouts. UND hasn't won in Brookings since moving up

Milestone Watch:

Marlon Stewart is 49 points away from 1000 career points.  Given a good performance tonight, he might have a shot at it against NDSU on Saturday.  He is also 56 points away from 1000 points at UND.  He should get that at home against DU

Keys:

1) Get off to a good start:

2) Get Rebraca going again

3) Defend the outside shot 

Other Games:

Tonight

USD (2-2) @ NDSU (2-1)

The showdown in Fargo is tonight between the two preseason favorites.  NDSU has had a while to lick their wounds from their loss down in ORU, while USD might have found their legs after starting 0-2.  A win in Fargo could vault USD back into the race, while NDSU holding serve could give them 3 conference losses and a key boost for the Bison to keep up with the Mavs and Jacks

Thursday:

ORU (2-2) @ WIU (2-3)

Eagles pulled the NoDak sweep at home and are back at .500 and looking for more as they head to Western.  Western took down DU and hoping to put some separation between them and last place.  If ORU wants to get back into the race, they need this one.

The Call:

SDSU has won 18 straight at home, and I have a feeling they will make it 19.  UND will play better than they did against ORU, but the record is about to be 0-12 against the I-29 schools sadly. Another close loss because some kid in small town SD hits another key 3*.

SDSU 83-79

Game is on the Plus

*If you don't know the reference, 2012-2013 season: Chad White hit a game winner in Lenny's face.  Chad <bleeping> White

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