RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines is hosting a tournament on Friday and Saturday. They will play two games, while Black Hills State, UMary, and Minot State will also be in attendance for a total of four games at the King Center in the inaugural Dakota Challenge.
The Hardrockers are set to take on Minot State on Friday night and UMary on Saturday.
GAME INFORMATION
Minot State
Date/Time: Nov. 29 / 6:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Minot State leads 34-29.
Series at South Dakota Mines: South Dakota Mines leads 10-4 (Since 1999).
Streak: Minot State Won 3
Streak at South Dakota Mines: Minot State Won 1
Tickets: Ticket Central
Watch Live: RMAC Network
UMary
Date/Time: Nov. 30 / 4:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: UMary leads 33-24.
Series at South Dakota Mines:
Streak: UMary Won 2
Streak at South Dakota Mines: UMary Won 4
Tickets: Ticket Central
Watch Live: RMAC Network
GUILLEM SCORES
Guillem Garcia has stepped up in his junior year. The team has needed scoring, and Garcia has answered the call, scoring in double digits in three of his last four games and shot 18-38 across those four contests.
DEFENSE FIRST
With the offense struggling a bit, the Hardrockers have needed to be strong on the defensive end, and they have done just that.
Defensively, the Hardrockers allow just 67 points per game, second-best in the RMAC and 40th in NCAA Division II.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
South Dakota Mines does not often turn the ball over, averaging 11.8 turnovers per game, the third-best in the RMAC.
NO FREE POINTS
The Hardrockers also do not foul often, preventing teams from getting to the free-throw line and scoring many free points.
The Hardrockers average 14.3 fouls per game, which is second in the RMAC and 38th in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING MINOT STATE
Minot State is having a solid start to the season with an unblemished record of 7-0.
In their most recent contest, the Beavers opened NSIC play with a 31-point victory over Minnesota Crookston.
Due to their play thus far, they are receiving votes in the NABC Coaches' Poll.
Jalen Cook, Caleb Van De Griend, and Ayoub Berthe are their leading scorers, averaging over 15 points per game.
Jaxon Gunville and Sam West join them in double figures, averaging 13.4 and 11.7 points per game.
When a team has all five starters averaging double figures, it usually spells good things for them offensively, and Minot State has been great on that side.
Their 87 points per game lead the NSIC and place them in the top 40 in NCAA Division II. They also lead the conference in three-point percentage, rebounding margin, field goal percentage, assists per game, and effective field goal percentage.
They have also done a good job on the other end, particularly protecting the rim, averaging 4.7 blocks per game.
SCOUTING UMary
UMary has struggled to start the season at 2-6.
However, they did pick up a big win to start NSIC play, defeating Northern State on Tuesday.
Jeremiah Jones is their top scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game, while teammate Ty Rogers joins him in double figures with 10.4 points per game.
Jones is also their top rebounder, averaging 6.8 per game.
UMary is a solid offensive rebounding team, averaging 12.38 per game.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the pair of games this weekend, South Dakota Mines starts its conference schedule on Tuesday with a home game against Black Hills State University at the King Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines men's basketball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockermbb), while also following on Facebook at Hardrocker Men's Basketball. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 13 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
