Coyotes Hoping to Regroup in Omaha

The South Dakota men's basketball team has been one of the top road teams in the Summit League this season, and the Coyotes are hoping to continue that trend as they play two away from home this week.

Last week, USD picked up just its second home win in five conference games, with a 75-61 win over Western Illinois.  The Coyotes were plus-12 on the boards against the Leathernecks and got 53 of their 75 points from a trio of players: Tre Burnette (19), Brandon Bos (18), and Tyler Larson (16).  Head coach Craig Smith on the win:

Last Saturday in Fargo, North Dakota State played like they had a score to settle with USD, and in fact they did after losing in Vermillion in January.  The Bison got 15 straight points from Lawrence Alexander to start the game, hit 14 three-pointers, and shot 50 percent from the floor en route to a 71-47 thumping of the Coyotes.  Coach Smith on the loss:

South Dakota will be in search of its fourth conference road win Thursday night in Omaha.  The Mavericks won in Vermillion, 86-77, in the Summit League opener in early January.  It's a game that saw USD lead by 12 at one point, but 61 percent second half shooting and 18 points in the final 14 minutes from UNO's CJ Carter fueled the comeback.  Coach Smith on the rematch:

Tipoff is 7:00 PM Thursday in Omaha.