REPORTS: INSIDE LOOKS AS JACKRABBIT MEN’S HOOPS COMPLETES SCHEDULE

South Dakota State Men’s Basketball Announces 2024-25 Schedule

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota State men’s basketball team has finalized its schedule for the 2024-25 season as the Jackrabbits prepare for a demanding lineup and get ready to debut in the newly renovated First Bank & Trust Arena.

The Summit League revealed its conference schedule earlier this month. SDSU’s non-conference schedule consists of 15 games against a diverse range of opponents.

The Jackrabbits will have a preview of their new arena on October 30 when they host Black Hills State for an exhibition game. The regular season kicks off on November 4, as SDSU faces McNeese State at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls at 5 p.m. This matchup features NCAA Tournament teams, and McNeese is projected to be a strong contender in the preseason top-25 polls. The SDSU-McNeese game is part of The Field of 68 Showcase, which also includes matchups at 11 a.m. (Charleston vs. Southern Illinois) and 2 p.m. (Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara). Tickets are available through TicketMaster.

The official opening of the First Bank & Trust Arena will take place on November 8, featuring a doubleheader with the women’s basketball team, where the SDSU men will take on Long Beach State. Long Beach State, the previous Big West Conference tournament champions, also made an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. Game times for the doubleheader will be announced later.

These matchups against Long Beach State and McNeese State will mark the first-ever meetings between SDSU and both teams.

On November 14, the Jackrabbits will remain in-state for a neutral-site game against Northern Colorado in Rapid City at the Summit Arena at The Monument. More details can be found on the facility’s website, themonument.live.

SDSU will then play its second and third games in the First Bank & Trust Arena within three days. Mount Marty returns to Brookings for a third consecutive year to face the Jackrabbits on November 18, followed by Southern Miss on November 20, continuing their rivalry after SDSU’s 65-54 win in Hattiesburg last season.

The Jackrabbits will participate in the Cayman Islands Classic, playing three games over three days. They will open the event against the Duquesne Dukes, another former NCAA Tournament team, on November 24 at 12:30 p.m. CT. Depending on the outcome, SDSU will play either Boise State or Hampton the following day, concluding the tournament on November 26. Further information about the event can be found at CaymanIslandsClassic.com.

Dakota Wesleyan will visit Brookings on December 2 for the second consecutive season.

SDSU’s schedule also includes a pair of familiar opponents in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge. The Jackrabbits will face Montana in Missoula on December 4, then host Eastern Washington in Brookings on December 7, mirroring their travel log from two years ago.

The Jackrabbits’ next road trip includes games at Nevada on December 11 and at Colorado on December 13. SDSU has a 2-2 record against Nevada during its Division I era, and they previously won 102-75 against the Wolfpack in the 2021-22 season. Conversely, the Jackrabbits are 0-3 against Colorado but nearly pulled off an upset in their last meeting, losing 112-103 in double overtime in December 2017.

The last non-conference home game will see SDSU host Chadron State on December 19. Historically, the Jackrabbits are 2-0 against the Eagles, having faced them twice in the mid-2010s.

The non-conference schedule wraps up with a game at Alabama on December 29, marking SDSU’s third visit to Tuscaloosa in four seasons. The Crimson Tide is anticipated to be a top-10 team in preseason rankings after reaching the Final Four last year.

The Summit League schedule begins on January 2 with South Dakota State hosting Denver.

For fans looking to secure basketball season tickets for games at First Bank & Trust Arena, seat selection will take place from September 9-13. Details for single-event ticket sales will be announced later. An Open House for the arena is scheduled for September 27, starting at 5 p.m., with tours of the facility available. The evening will conclude with a short program at 6:30 p.m.