Coyote men look to find footing in conference play following SDSU loss
The USD men’s basketball team took a two-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against South Dakota State. After a matchup in Vermillion that saw SDSU barely slip through the Coyotes’ grasp, this game in Frost Arena was different.
SDSU jumped out to a 44-28 lead at halftime and despite a nearly-even second half in scoring SDSU 41 USD 40, the damage was already done. USD lost 85-68 and slipped to 4-9 in conference play. This puts the Coyotes back at second to last and a game behind both Oral Roberts and Denver.
Despite the poor overall performance against the Jackrabbits, some good things did come out of it for the Coyotes, head coach Craig Smith said..
“(It) certainly wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but we learned some positive things about ourselves in the second half especially,” he said.
One positive thing was senior guard Trey Norris. Norris scored 19 points and had three assists. Despite the loss, Norris is still optimistic.
“As a whole, I feel like we didn’t play a good game as a team,” he said. “There was only a few of us that scored in double figures. If we see those guys again you best believe we’ll be ready for another one.”
USD will have a chance to get that game back against Denver this week when they take on the Pioneers. The Coyotes also have a match-up with NAIA opponent York College this week.
Despite York’s NAIA status, Smith and his team members are careful not to overlook them.
“York is a good basketball team,” Smith said. “They are 20-8 and are second in the country in steals per game. We treat all opponents the same regardless of the name on their jerseys. Good teams take care of business at home.”
Following the York game, USD will take on Denver. Last time out the Coyotes were unable to overcome the Pioneers and their Princeton offense, falling on the road 52-66.
“Denver is the most unique team we play in that their style of play is so unique. They sit in a match-up zone and run the Princeton offense,” Smith said. “We did not play well at their place. We really were exposed with some things on both ends of the floor.”
As it stands, the Coyotes are in the top eight and will qualify for the Summit League tournament. However, a late slip up by USD or a surge by last place Western Illinois could change the Coyotes’ fortune.
Despite the loss to SDSU, the Coyotes remain positive about their end of the year chances.
“Everyone is still bought in,” Norris said. “There’s no quitting attitude, we still can make it to the tournament.”
Smith agrees that all that matters is for the Coyotes to turn it on down the stretch.
“We want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the year every year,” he said. “We need to finish with a flourish.”
USD will take on York College Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the DakotaDome. They are then off until Sunday when they’ll face Denver in the DakotaDome at 2 p.m.
The Denver game will mark the final Coyote basketball game played in the DakotaDome. With the new arena opening next fall, there’s a feeling of nostalgia for the senior Norris.
“It being my last game in the DakotaDome and it being the last game period with the new arena is kind of special,” he said. “To go out with something different feels good.”
