Can the Coyotes Break Through? Nebraska’s Defense Tested by South Dakota’s Offense

Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Time: 7:30 pm ET

Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE

The South Dakota Coyotes head to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers! This game promises to be a thrilling clash of styles and strategies, with plenty of excitement on the court. With both teams looking to establish themselves early in the season, fans can expect a high-energy showdown at Pinnacle Bank Arena. So, let’s dive into the details and see what each team brings to the table!

Current Form: How Are They Playing?

South Dakota Coyotes

The Coyotes have been on a scoring spree lately, showcasing their offensive prowess in recent games. Averaging around 84.7 points per game, they’ve demonstrated a knack for putting points on the board. Their recent victories, including high-scoring wins against Southern Indiana and Southern University, highlight their ability to outgun opponents. However, their defense has been a bit shaky, allowing approximately 77.4 points per game. This inconsistency could be a double-edged sword as they face a formidable opponent in Nebraska.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

On the flip side, the Cornhuskers have shown resilience and adaptability in their recent outings. With an average of about 80 points per game and a strong defensive rating that limits opponents to around 70 points, they’ve found a balance between offense and defense. Their recent games have been competitive, often resulting in narrow victories against tough opponents. Nebraska’s ability to clamp down on defense while maintaining a steady scoring output will be crucial as they prepare for this matchup.

Key Statistics: Breaking It Down

When we look at the numbers, both teams bring unique strengths and weaknesses to the court.

• Offensive Efficiency:
  • South Dakota boasts an effective field goal percentage of 44.4%, with three-point shooting at 29.9%. They rely heavily on their ability to score quickly.
  • Nebraska counters with a slightly higher effective field goal percentage of around 45% and a more efficient three-point shooting rate of approximately 35%. This gives them an edge in spreading the floor.
• Defensive Efficiency:
  • The Coyotes need to tighten up defensively; their current stats show they allow too many points.
  • The Cornhuskers have been more successful at limiting scoring opportunities for their opponents, which could play a significant role in this game.
• Turnover Rates:
  • South Dakota averages about 11.6 turnovers per game, which is manageable but leaves room for improvement.
  • Nebraska’s turnover rate is higher at around 15.6 per game, indicating potential vulnerabilities that South Dakota could exploit.
• Rebounding:
  • Both teams are relatively even in rebounding stats, with South Dakota averaging about 38.1 rebounds per game compared to Nebraska’s 39.

Notable Injuries

As of now, both teams appear to be healthy with no major injuries reported that would impact player rotations or strategies significantly. This is great news for fans who want to see both teams at full strength.

Why Pick the South Dakota Coyotes +20?

Now that we’ve dissected each team’s current form and key statistics, let’s talk about why taking South Dakota +20 could be a smart move.

1. Recent Performance: The Coyotes have shown they can score effectively against various opponents. Their recent high-scoring games indicate they can keep pace with Nebraska’s offense.
2. Defensive Vulnerabilities: While Nebraska has been solid defensively, they’ve also shown moments where they can be exploited—especially if South Dakota can find their rhythm early.
3. Turnover Opportunities: If South Dakota can capitalize on Nebraska’s higher turnover rate, it could lead to easy scoring opportunities that keep them within striking distance.
4. Historical Matchups: Historically, South Dakota has performed well against Nebraska in certain matchups. This familiarity could give them confidence going into this game.
5. Prediction Models Support: Various NCAA basketball prediction models have weighed in on this matchup:
   • KenPom: Predicted score: Nebraska 82 – South Dakota 70
   • Sagarin Ratings: Predicted score: Nebraska 81 – South Dakota 72
   • Bart Torvik: Predicted score: Nebraska 83 – South Dakota 71
   • Haslametrics: Predicted score: Nebraska 80 – South Dakota 71
   • Torvik Ratings: Predicted score: Nebraska 84 – South Dakota 73

These predictions suggest that while Nebraska is favored to win, the margin is not as wide as the spread indicates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Cornhuskers are favored heavily in this matchup against the Coyotes, there are compelling reasons to consider taking South Dakota +20. Their dynamic scoring ability combined with Nebraska’s occasional defensive lapses creates an intriguing scenario where the Coyotes can keep it close. With both teams eager to make a statement early in the season, expect an exciting game filled with fast-paced action and plenty of scoring opportunities.

So mark your calendars for November 27th at Pinnacle Bank Arena—this is one matchup you won’t want to miss.

PICK: South Dakota +20 WIN