College basketball fans brace for a pivotal Summit League showdown Wednesday night as the South Dakota Coyotes face the St. Thomas Tommies fresh off Isaac Bruns' explosive 21-point effort. With both teams vying for conference dominance, this must-watch matchup could reshape the league standings.
The Coyotes (16-11, 7-5) enter with momentum from recent home dominance, boasting a 12-2 record at Vermillion’s Sanford Coyotes Sports Center. However, St. Thomas (20-7, 10-2) counters with the Summit League’s second-best record and a potent offense averaging 84.8 points per game — nearly 10 points above their opponents’ average.
Key factors shaping the clash:
- South Dakota’s 45.9% field goal accuracy vs. St. Thomas’ 44.9% defensive rate
- Tommies’ +9.2 scoring margin - second-best in conference play
- Coyotes’ vulnerability in 10+ point decisions (7-8 record this season)
Recent performances highlight rising stars from both rosters. South Dakota’s Chase Forte continues to impress with 16.0 PPG on 44.9% shooting, while St. Thomas’ Miles Barnstable enters averaging 15 points over his last 10 contests. Three-point specialists Carter Bjerke (42.9% beyond arc) and Quandre Bullock (2.0 threes/game) could dictate the game’s tempo.
The Coyotes face offensive pressure after allowing 89.3 PPG in their last 10 outings — a concerning trend against St. Thomas’ high-octane attack. Sports analysts suggest controlling transition plays and paint dominance will determine this matchup’s outcome.
Wednesday’s game hinges on defensive adjustments,notes Summit League analyst Derek Thompson. If South Dakota can disrupt St. Thomas’ perimeter rhythm, homecourt advantage might tilt the scales.
BetMGM lists St. Thomas as 3.5-point favorites with a 176 over/under, reflecting expectations for an offensive duel. With playoff implications mounting, both teams need this win to bolster their conference tournament positioning.