UND vs South Dakota 1/17/2026 1PM

[sioux24/7]

UND is back at The Betty on Saturday at 1pm to take on South Dakota.

The St. Thomas game went pretty much how most of us expected. They blitzed UND early, UND responded well to get within one at halftime, and then the Tommies blitzed again after the break and pulled away. Janowski and Minessale were just too much. I also remain baffled by some of the substitution patterns, especially with Wylee and Marley, but at the end of the day it is time to move on to the next opportunity.

UND sits at 315 in KenPom and hosts a South Dakota squad at 270. USD opened Summit play depleted with injuries and shorthanded depth, but that roster has started to stabilize. They have now won two straight at home, knocking off Denver and then putting up a 99-83 win over Kansas City.

Paul Bruns is gone after finishing his senior year last season, but his younger brother Isaac (#12) is still very much a problem. He is averaging 20.7 points and 5.2 rebounds and is clearly their go-to scoring option.

The other major concern is 7-foot center Cameron Fens. He is averaging 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds for the year, but his last two games were 23 points against Denver and 31 against UMKC. If UND’s bigs are not ready for a battle, Fens can dominate a game on his own.

Some quick style numbers to watch. USD is turnover prone which should be a welcome matchup if UND’s trap and pressure defense is locked in. On the flip side USD is doing a strong job on the offensive glass while UND is just OK there so boxing out will matter. USD also gets to the free throw line at a high rate and UND is sending teams there way too often so discipline and verticality need to show up.

USD has used a full court press in the past that led to up and down shootouts, but it sounds like they have dialed that back a bit especially when they were short handed. We will see if they bring it back on the road.

KenPom projects this one as a 82-81 USD win, so it is basically a tossup.

This feels like a big game for the trajectory of the season. Get to The Betty Saturday at 1pm and help the guys get a W.

[GoodGood]

Anyone know how many scholarship players USD is down to? I know they added 2 guys to the roster the day they played St Thomas and they were the first 2 guys off the bench. 

[sioux24/7]

I want to say 6 or 7. 

[F'n Hawks]

Both Curtis twins in street clothes 

[EternalOptimist]

8 minutes ago, F'n Hawks said:

Both Curtis twins in street clothes 

???? He seemed fine on Thursday. I'm sure yesterday's practice was mostly film and light. That's crazy

[F'n Hawks]

Good start

[NewUndFan]

These guys are actually fun to watch!  Id like to see A3 and Guga playing more.

[GoodGood]

Feel bad for USD. They simply don’t have the bodies for this 

[Und Princess]

I'm watching the game and we're doing phenomenal!!!

[F'n Hawks]

18 minutes ago, GoodGood said:

Feel bad for USD. They simply don’t have the bodies for this 

Won their last two Summit games though. Looks like it is not as bad as it was in December 

[NewUndFan]

Might be unpopular statement but I think this team is more fun to watch then last years with Treyson. 

[GoodGood]

Bruns hurt now too 

[GoodGood]

25 minutes ago, F'n Hawks said:

Won their last two Summit games though. Looks like it is not as bad as it was in December 

More so they don’t have the legs to play 2 games in 3 days. They don’t even have a back up big guy. Had Bruns guarding jones at one point 

[F'n Hawks]

2 minutes ago, GoodGood said:

More so they don’t have the legs to play 2 games in 3 days. They don’t even have a back up big guy. Had Bruns guarding jones at one point 

Gotcha, yep agree. 

[EternalOptimist]

USD is in a tough spot due to thw injuries. With them in the position they are in, UMKC in a free for all with a coach that's been fired, and Oral Bob, who is just bad, maybe UND can finish above the bottom 4

[GoodGood]

Would like to see Reggie and Wylee the rest of the game 

[F'n Hawks]

If UND finishes 3rd in the Summit is Sather coach of the year

[UND1983]

Ass kicking! 

[GoodGood]

Life time extension 

[SIOUXFAN97]

15 minutes ago, UND1983 said:

Ass kicking! 

[GoodGood]

21 minutes ago, F'n Hawks said:

If UND finishes 3rd in the Summit is Sather coach of the year

Give it to USDs coach if they win anymore games. Mid season had to recruit and give heavy minutes 2 NAIA guards who’s career has been done since last March 

[forksandspoons]

Good win! Keep improving 

[F'n Hawks]

Team is a lot of fun to watch. Make it to the Betty this year if you can to support these guys.

[Kab]

Glad to see Wylie get some good minutes 

[Ron Mexico]

Extend Sather

 

This group has it going!!!