As we near the midpoint in the Summit League conference season the South Dakota State men are starting to turn the corner. Coming off a dominant win against their in-state rival USD, the Jacks won an important prove-it game. We have seen a very jumbled middle of the pack within the conference while Oral Roberts and North Dakota State start to create some separation. If the Jacks can win both of their games this weekend against Denver and Omaha, they would show they belong at the top as well.
The Jacks have had a very rollercoaster like season with some big wins, and a few injuries. A few diamonds that have shown up are in their front court. Since inserting Matthew Mors into the starting lineup, something has clicked for the Jacks. Between Mors in-season improvement, Matt Dentlinger’s hot start to conference play, and rising star William Kyle III, the Jacks front court is pushing the team forward during some shooting woes from the three point line. While the Jacks were the best team in the country last season from behind the arch, this season they are one of the worst. However, the Jacks are the third best team in the country from the free throw line.
The Jackrabbit success has been easy to calculate this season, they are at their best when they defend, don’t turn the ball over, attack the rim with guards, and let their bigs work the paint. Matt Dentlinger is averaging 14 points and 7 boards while shooting 67%. He already has two 20+ point games. This has allowed the Jacks to use Kyle as a great 6th man coming off the bench while using his athletic abilities to block shots and make highlight dunks at full strength. They won’t rush him into anything, but it allows for both players to be fresh at the end of the game when they need a stop or a big rebound.
Another thing that is clear is the Jacks are letting Zeke Mayo be the guy this year. Early on it looked like more of a team effort but it is clear they have evolved into a system that allows Zeke to control the ball more in the offense than before. He has been at his best late in games and when he is getting to the rim. Zeke is one of the top free throw shooters in the country right now shooting 95% from the line.
If the Jacks want to take that next step in conference play they will need to get back to an average three point shooting team, right now nothing seems to fall for them. Coming off a game where they went 8-31 from the three point line the Jacks still found a way to win by nearly 20. With the way they are playing right now, if they can improve their three’s this Jackrabbit team could be just as dangerous as last years. The defensive effort we have seen this year is a vast improvement over last year’s team. When Charlie Easley returns from injury in early February, there are going to be few teams that can match the different defensive fronts the Jackrabbits can throw at teams throughout a game.
The formula for the Jacks should be to live inside the paint until the three starts falling. They have the athletes and the size to get their own shot, and that will lead to more open and easy shots from three. With their defense they should stay in almost every game they plan. The men need to be more consistent on the other end of the floor and that will take them from a good team to a great team. If we get a similar show from the offense this week like we did against USD, look for the Jackrabbit men to take that next step.
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