North Dakota State at South Dakota 2/28/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 02/27/2021 at 11:11 PM ET

The North Dakota State Bison will be looking to avenge a loss in the back-to-back at Sanford Coyote Sports Center against the South Dakota Coyotes. South Dakota pulled out an 80-71 win, their second straight win, and improved to 13-9 (11-3 conference). North Dakota State dropped to 12-11 (10-5 conference) with the loss. 

South Dakota is among the best offenses in the Summit League and is a huge reason for their run to a potential regular-season championship. The Coyotes are averaging 75.3 points per game ranking 82nd in the country in scoring offense and shooting 46.1% from the field, 70th in the nation. They’ve also been a great three-point shooting team, knocking down 41.2% of their threes in conference play, 2nd in the conference.

The two-headed backcourt tandem of Stanley Umude and AJ PLitzuweit have led the way, Umude is second in the conference in scoring with 20.4 points on 46.1% shooting. He leads the team and is 5th in the Summit League in rebounding with 7.3 per game. The sophomore Plitzuweit is fourth in the conference with 18.9 points shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc on over 5.5 attempts per game. Plitzuweit is dishing out a team-high 3.9 assists per game.

North Dakota State comes in really slowing things down on the offensive end coming in 330th in average possession length and 341st in adjusted tempo. The Bison are scoring just 68.3 points per game ranking 257th in the country in scoring offense whilst shooting 44.5% from the field as a team. 

Senior forward Rocky Kreuser has been a stud in the paint for North Dakota State averaging a team-high 14.8 points and pulling down 6.8 rebounds per game. Junior guard Sam Griesel can do it all for the Bison, he’s second on the team with 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds and leads the team with 3 assists per contest.

North Dakota State and their methodical tempo have led to a solid defensive unit allowing 66.1 points per game ranking 67th in the country in scoring defense. They’ve held opponents to 43.1% from the field, 172nd in the nation, and 33.2% from beyond the arc, 160th nationally. The Bison are 144th in KenPom adjusted defense.

South Dakota is giving up 71.3 points per game ranking 213th in the country in scoring defense and they’ve defended the paint well with opponents shooting 46.2% from inside the arc, 70th in defensive two-point percentage. The Coyotes have struggled to defend the three, allowing 35.3% from beyond the arc, 266th in the country. South Dakota is 255th in KenPom adjusted defense.

South Dakota and their potent offense were able to pull of teh win in the first game and I look for them to continue that in the rematch and win the regular-season championship. North Dakota State is a solid team but their struggles on the offensive end continue as South Dakota leans on Umude, who had 26 in the first game, on their way to a win. Final score prediction, South Dakota wins and covers ATS 78-71.

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