Next game: Bradley vs. South Dakota State, Friday, Dec. 4, 7:00 pm

[Da Coach]

After a revision of the schedule caused by the St. Joseph's game cancellation, the game with South Dakota State has been moved from next Tuesday, Dec. 8, and will now be played Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 pm.

The game will be streamed on ESPN3. Here is the direct link-
https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id...6-67c458a20e15

Live Stats-

https://bradleybraves.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary

Bradleyfans Chat Room-

http://www.chatzy.com/bradleyfans

Bradley is now 3-1. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are 1-2, coming into today, having played 3 tough games in the Bad Boys Mowers Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls SD last week.
They lost to #11 ranked West Virginia and St. Mary's, and they defeated Utah State.

They play tonight (Wednesday, Dec. 2) at Iowa State.
Here is their schedule-

https://gojacks.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Roster-

https://gojacks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

SDSU is coached by Eric Henderson in his 2nd season after taking over for T.J. Otzelberger after the 2018-19 season.
Coaches-
https://gojacks.com/sports/mens-bask...roster-coaches

South Dakota State is a member of the Summit League, which they have dominated over the last decade. They have had averaged 23 wins per season over the last 10 years under Otzelberger and Scott Nagy. During the last 10 seasons, they have won the Summit League 6 times (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020), and won the Summit League Postseason Tournament 5 times (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 ). They have had 5 NCAA tournament appearances in the last 10 years, and 2 NIT appearances. And they only joined Division I in 2005. Prior to that, they were also a dominant power in Division II, appearing in the Division II NCAA Tournament 23 times since 1959, and winning the DII Tournament in 1963.
SDSU yearly record-
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb...-dakota-state/

History-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_...9;s_basketball

2020-21 season stats-
https://sdstate_ftp.sidearmsports.co...e.htm#TEAM.IND

Last season's stats (2019-20)-
https://sdstate_ftp.sidearmsports.co...e.htm#TEAM.IND

They have shot 3-pointers well this season- 41.4%, though last season they only shot 34.7%.
They don't have a great amount of size and have been outrebounded by 5.4 rebounds per game so far this season (32.3 rpg to 37.7 rpg)

They have had the same starting 5 each game (see 2020-21 stats link above)-
6'4" sophomore guard Noah Freidel- 16.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg & 38.9% from three
6'6" sophomore guard Baylor Scheierman- 14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg & 47.1% from three
6'7" senior forward Douglas Wilson- 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg- he was the team's leading scorer last season with an average or 18.6 ppg
6'4" junior guard Alex Arians- 9.3 ppg & 6.7 rpg
6'8" junior forward Matt Dentlinger- 4.0 ppg & 2.7 rpg

The only 2 reserves who are significant contributors are-
6'7" sophomore G/F David Wingett- 5.3 ppg
6'2" sophomore guard Charlie Easley- 4.7 ppg

Bradley stats-

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/bradley.sidearmsports.com/documents/2020/11/25/bradley_stats.pdf

[Da_Braves21]

SDSU is 82nd in the kenpom rankings right now. Bradley has the 2 obvious good non-conference matchups with Xavier and Mizzou, but this is one of the more decent matchups considering most of the non-conference games are pretty weak.

[Da Coach]

South Dakota State leads Big 12 member Iowa State 47-35 in the 2nd half-
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId=401259860

[houstonbrave]

South Dakota state wins 71-68

[Da Coach]

South Dakota State wins 71-68

That is a really nice win for South Dakota State at Iowa State, where it is hard for visitors to win.
Box score-

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401259860

[Big Mike]

SD State sounds like a real test for the Braves. It should be interesting for sure!

[Da Coach]

Pregame article from BradleyBraves.com-

https://bradleybraves.com/news/2020/12/3/mens-basketball-braves-host-south-dakota-state-in-key-non-conference-matchup.aspx

Game Notes-

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/bradley.sidearmsports.com/documents/2020/12/3/05_South_Dakota_State.pdf

[Da Coach]

Game day!
Bradley needs to defend and control the Jackrabbits' top 2 scorers, both sophomores, who can really shoot the ball.

Noah Freidel- a 6'4" guard who averages 17.8 ppg and is shooting 41.4% from three. Last season as a freshman he averaged 12.2 ppg and 15.3 ppg in Summit League games, but over their last 4 games of the season, including their league tournament, he averaged 26.3 ppg and he made 16 of 37 threes (43.2%) and 37 of 72 overall (51.4%). He was the Summit League Freshman of the Year in 2019-20, and Honorable Mention All-Summit League.

And Baylor Scheierman is their other talented sophomore. He is averaging 15.5 ppg and shooting 53.5% overall and 47.8% from three. He is also tied for the team lead with an average of 6.0 rebounds per game. As a freshman, he played in every game and started 3 games, but only averaged 6.0 ppg, and was only a 24.7% shooter from three.

SDSU has a couple other guys who can make the three (6'4" junior Alex Arians and 6'7" sophomore David Wingett), but Freidel and Scheierman are the guys who take most of the shots. Their 3rd leading scorer is 6'7" senior Douglas Wilson (14.5 ppg) who lead the team in scoring last year (18.6 ppg). He was the Summit League Player of the Year last season. But he is an inside player and not a perimeter shooter. He is 0-5 in his career shooting threes.

[houstonbrave]

Do we know if this is a one time game or if we agreed to a home and home (or even better 2 at our place and one there) ?

[BUBalum05]

Do we know if this is a one time game or if we agreed to a home and home (or even better 2 at our place and one there) ?

If their 2 studs are sophomores, it would be nice to keep them on the schedule for a few years!

[LittleBrave]

Big game 2nite guys - if this season is to carry out as planned.
A win like this might help with an NIT invite or better yet - At Large bid!
A loss and it doesn't separate us or it's a lost opp for a quality win.

Go BRAVES!
Execute and win the loose ball battles!

[Tommy]

A win like this might help with an NIT invite or better yet

Bite your tongue. We're winning the MVC tourney for a 3rd time in a row.

[dawgs123]

Tommy---I really like your attitude---GO Braves!!!!!!!!!

[Tommy]

Tommy---I really like your attitude---GO Braves!!!!!!!!!

HAHA! Right on, buddy!

[Bradley3342]

Bite your tongue. We're winning the MVC tourney for a 3rd time in a row.

Ditto Tommy! You’re always so positive...Go Braves!