The South Dakota State men’s basketball team entered the 2024 campaign as favorites to win the conference. However, there will be some question marks for this team, due to a mix of veterans and freshmen. It will be a fun season to watch.
The Jackrabbits return several top performers from last season. Zeke Mayo, one of the most electric scorers in the conference will lead the team’s offense as a junior guard who really shined in conference play last season. Luke Appel, projected a first team player this season, will be a major force for the Jackrabbits this season. Other returning players include Matt Mims, Matthew Mors, Tanner Te Slaa, Charlie Easley and William Kyle III. Mims will miss the first part of the season due to an offseason foot injury, so Easley will slide into the starting role and handle the defensive assignment for the Jacks. With a full offseason in the program Kyle III and Mors are expected to take big jumps in their role this year as offensive threats. Kyle III should also be another league leader in blocks this season as he continues to be a major rim defender for the Jacks.
There will be seven freshman/redshirt freshmen this season. With Matt Mims missing time the freshman guards will be expected to expand their role and get early playing time. True Freshman Joe Sayler and Bubz Alvarez, along with Redshirt Freshman Kalen Garry will all look to make early impacts. Bubz from Houston, Texas impressed during offseason practice, while Kalen and Joe, both hailing from South Dakota, aim to continue what they did in class B and show off their scoring abilities. The freshman forwards are William Whorton, Connor Kraft and Damon Wilkinson. I don’t expect them to make major impacts with playing time due to this being the Jacks deepest position groups with transfer Nate Barhart, Appel, Kyle and Mors. I expect to see a couple redshirts in this group to really give the starters a good look in practice.
The loan transfer this season is the previously mentioned seven foot center Nate Barnhart. Nate will bring a new dimension to the Jacks offense that they haven’t had since the likes of Mike Daum. He will be a stretch five for the Jacks bringing back the pick and pop threat that will open up the lane more for Zeke and other guards. Nate’s impressive shooting 57% from the field last year and 36% from three, indicate an expanding role while they settle into their rotations this season.
This season is going to be fun for the Jackrabbit men starting with their first game as they host Akron on Monday November 6th, at Frost Arena.