Men’s basketball graduates seniors, commits to new culture

While the ultimate goal of making it to the NCAA tournament hasn’t changed for the men’s basketball team, the size and strength of its players has.

The Coyores lose three starters this coming year, including a first team ALL-Summit league player in Tyler Larsen.

Head coach Craig Smith said Larsen and fellow senior Brandon Boss were the two leading scorers, and his team will will need to find a way to replace their leadership and productivity.

“Our focus is going to be on being the best that we can be,” he said. “We want to represent The University of South Dakota the right way. We want our guys to be well-rounded in being the best students we can be, the best citizens we can be, and the best teammates we can be.”

Following the Coyotes’ final game last season against South Dakota State University during the Summit League Tournament, graduating senior Brandon Bos said he believes the team has the potential to go all the way.

“I wish I had more time,” Bos said. “(Smith) doesn’t hear this from us a lot, but we’re just so thankful for him and everything he does for us.”

This coming season, Smith said the team is depending on their reutners to be committed to the culture.

“Guys need to lock into maintaining their strengths and improving specific areas of their game for the betterment of the team,” he said.

(Photo: Junior guard Trey Norris goes up for a shot against a Denver defender un the Sioux Falls Arena during the Summit League Tournaments. The mens basketball team finished their season 12-18. File Photo / The Volante)