capjournal
In a surprising turn of events, South Dakota State traveled to Manhattan, Kan., and defeated Kansas State 68-66 on Tuesday night, spoiling the debut of Wildcats head coach Casey Alexander. The Jackrabbits were paid $90,000 for the game but left with something far more valuable: their first victory over a power-conference foe since beating Washington State in 2021 (or Iowa State in 2020, depending on how one defines the Pac-12's status).
For a program that has enjoyed its share of big wins, this one stands out—especially as the most notable triumph under second-year head coach Bryan Petersen. "It was just really gratifying," Petersen said Wednesday from the team bus en route back to Brookings. "Honestly, we worked at it pretty hard last year and just didn't get a lot of the results that we wanted. So I'm just really proud of the staff and everybody that's a part of this thing. And then the players, they've had an awesome offseason, from our returners to our newcomers buying in. It's just one game, but that moment in the locker room after was pretty special."
While the win won't factor into at-large NCAA tournament consideration—the Jackrabbits' path to March Madness runs through the Summit League tournament—it carries symbolic weight and offers several key takeaways.
Validation for Petersen
Petersen's first season at the helm was a grind, with a 14-18 record and a style of play that wasn't always easy on the eyes. The Jackrabbits dropped numerous close games, and Petersen, who spent seven seasons as an assistant before taking over, felt the losses deeply. Fans expect consistent winning, and a shorthanded victory over a Big 12 team suggests significant progress in just one offseason. "We always talk about stacking days and moments, and last night was a really good moment," Petersen said. "And we can learn from all the moments, whether they're positive or negative. Last night was a really good positive one. So we're going to run with it, but we also know we've got to get better and there are some things we can clean up. But there's no doubt it gives our guys a lot of confidence moving into the next phase, their next game. Hopefully we just kind of keep on stacking those moments."
Confidence and Resilience
The Jackrabbits showed poise in weathering a second-half surge from Kansas State. SDSU led by seven at halftime, but the Wildcats opened the second half with a 22-8 run to erase the deficit. Many observers likely assumed the Big 12 team would pull away for a double-digit win. Instead, Petersen kept his team composed and guided them to the finish. "Coach Alexander's teams have been elite offensively," Petersen said. "We knew they'd go on a run. We really preached to our guys a next-play mentality and that really showed up for us."
A Boost for Mid-Major Basketball
In an era where NIL and the transfer portal have disproportionately affected mid-major programs—often turning them into feeders for power conferences—wins like this are increasingly rare. The Summit League and similar conferences face an uphill battle to compete with the resources of the Big Ten and Big 12. This victory is a reminder of the magic of March Madness, even as the gap widens. Jackrabbit fans should savor it; such opportunities may become scarcer.
Summit League Contender
The win also reinforces the belief that SDSU can contend for the Summit League title. The Jackrabbits returned a strong core in preseason player of the year Joe Sayler, senior Kalen Garry, and big man Alec Squires, and they addressed weaknesses through the transfer portal. In his college debut, freshman big man Davis Kern started in place of Squires and poured in 24 points—prompting comparisons to SDSU legend Mike Daum, however premature. EJ Ryans didn't score (0-of-5 shooting) but provided steady point guard play with four assists and no turnovers. Jon Mekonnen added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, showcasing the athleticism and versatility the staff envisioned. "(Kern) has always been a very skilled player, always been a kid that can really shoot the basketball," Petersen said. "But when he first got up here last year, his body and some other things just weren't quite ready for the day-to-day grind of Division I basketball. So we've always seen flashes. But I'll say this: he's had a really good offseason. We've been confident in his ability for a long time. And then EJ and Jon, they've been great additions. EJ's leadership and grit mentality really showed up for us last night. He's just so consistent in what he brings to his teammates and he's only going to get better, and same with Jon. We needed someone to make plays in the paint last night with the guys that are out and he stepped up."
Depth Tested by Injuries
The victory came without two starters, and the injury news is mixed. Jesse Van Kalsbeek, last year's NAIA player of the year at Northwestern, will be out "a long time" with a back injury, according to Petersen. The 6-foot-6 forward, who averaged 27.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists last season, was slated to start at the four. While Petersen is confident Van Kalsbeek will return this year, he cautioned it won't be a quick recovery. Squires, a 6-foot-9 center, is also sidelined with a back injury, but the Jackrabbits are hopeful he could return as soon as next week. The silver lining? In mid-major basketball, the only games that truly matter are in Sioux Falls in March. SDSU just beat a Big 12 team without two starters they expect back by then. If Tuesday night is any indication, this season promises to be far more enjoyable than the last.
Originally reported by capjournal.