The South Dakota State Jackrabbits take on the Northern Colorado Bears at The Monument in Rapid City. This non-conference game features teams from the Summit and Big Sky conferences. South Dakota State enters with a strong 3-0 record, while Northern Colorado stands at 2-1.

Key players for the Jackrabbits include Kalen Garry and Joe Sayler, both contributing significantly in their recent games. Garry scored 21 points against Valparaiso, showing effective shooting. Sayler has also been consistent, with a notable 20-point performance in the same game.

Northern Colorado looks to rely on Langston Reynolds and Andrew Crawford for success. Reynolds had a solid outing with 13 points and 7 assists in their victory over Northern New Mexico. Crawford added 14 points and 13 rebounds, making him a player to watch in this matchup.

Northern Colorado vs South Dakota State At a Glance

  • Matchup: South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs Northern Colorado Bears
  • Venue: The Monument, Rapid City SD (Neutral Site)
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: Summ
  • Game Odds: South Dakota State favored by 4.5 points
  • Records: South Dakota State 3-0, Northern Colorado 2-1

Northern Colorado Bears Ready to Shine in Upcoming Game

Offensive Strategy

Northern Colorado Bears excel in scoring, averaging 94 points per game. Their field goal percentage stands at 55.5%, which ranks them 10th. The team is efficient with their shots, having an effective field goal percentage of 64.8%.

The Bears are also strong from beyond the arc, making 11.3 three-pointers per game. They shoot an impressive 45.3% from the three-point line, placing them 14th in this category. Their ability to hit long-range shots makes them a threat to any defense.

Defensive Aspects

Defensively, the Bears average 6.3 steals per game. However, their block numbers are lower, with just 4 blocks per game. Their focus on quick hands over rim protection shows in these stats.

Turnovers remain a concern, as they average 14.7 per game. This places them near the bottom in terms of ball security. Limiting turnovers will be crucial for their success.

Key Players to Watch

Manning Shareef leads the team with 11.3 points per game while shooting 61.1% from the field. Andrew Crawford is another standout, contributing 11 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage is 63.6%.

Langston Reynolds has been pivotal with 10 points and 5.7 assists per game. His ability to distribute the ball helps keep the offense dynamic. Hunter Caldwell and Ariik Mawien add depth to the scoring with 10 points each.

Injury Report

Andrew Crawford is listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury. His presence on the court remains uncertain, which could impact the team's performance. The Bears will need to adjust if he's unable to play.

Northern Colorado Bears Betting Trends

  • SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
  • SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
  • ATS All Games: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
  • O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)

In straight-up trends, the Bears have won two out of their last three games. They have struggled against the spread, failing to cover in their games so far. The totals trends show one over out of their games, indicating a preference for high-scoring affairs.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits Prepare for Tough Test

Team Overview

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits have shown a balanced start this season. With a points per game average of 73.3, they rank 271st in the nation. Their pace of play is on the slower side, averaging 66.4 possessions per game.

The team's field goal percentage is 44.9, placing them in the middle of the pack. Their effective field goal percentage is 51.7, indicating they can score efficiently when given the chance. Free throw shooting stands out with a percentage of 74.5, which ranks 123rd.

Key Players to Watch

Jon Mekonnen leads the team in scoring with an average of 14.7 points per game. His shooting accuracy is impressive, hitting 59.4% of his field goal attempts. Despite his scoring ability, he contributes less in assists.

Joe Sayler adds to the offense with 13.3 points per game. He is an important part of the team's backcourt. His three-point shooting is notable, making an average of 1.7 per game.

Kalen Garry is another player to watch, contributing 13 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounds with six per game. His overall shooting percentage stands at 45.2.

Team Challenges

Rebounding is a challenge for the Jackrabbits, as they average only 33.3 rebounds per game, ranking 345th. This is an area they will need to improve on to succeed in upcoming games. Assists per game are also low at 11, ranking 356th.

The team's defense needs attention, as they average 20.3 fouls per game. This places them near the bottom in this category. However, they keep turnovers low with an average of 10 per game.

Betting Trends

  • SU Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
  • SU as Underdog: 2-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS Last 3: 2-0-1 (66.7%)
  • O/U Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)

Northern Colorado vs South Dakota State Prediction: Northern Colorado +4.5

South Dakota State has a perfect record this season, but their offensive stats show room for improvement. With 73.3 points per game, the Jackrabbits rank low in scoring, while Northern Colorado excels with 94.0 points per game. Northern Colorado's strong offense might give them the edge to cover the spread.

Northern Colorado has an impressive shooting percentage, sitting at 55.5% from the field. They also shoot 45.3% from beyond the arc, which ranks them high nationally. This shooting efficiency can be a challenge for South Dakota State's defense, which may struggle to contain such a potent offensive team.

Even though South Dakota State is favored by 4.5 points, Northern Colorado's recent head-to-head success against them cannot be overlooked. In their last meeting, Northern Colorado won by 9 points. Northern Colorado's scoring ability and previous success against South Dakota State provide a strong case for taking them against the spread.

While the Bears have had some struggles against the spread recently, their offensive stats suggest they can keep this game close. Given the neutral site and Northern Colorado's past victory over South Dakota State, taking Northern Colorado +4.5 seems like a solid pick.

  • Northern Colorado vs South Dakota State Prediction: Northern Colorado +4.5
  • Northern Colorado vs South Dakota State Score: Northern Colorado 85 - South Dakota State 80

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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