SIOUX FALLS — While home from break, I had the chance to attend both games for the USD men’s basketball team at the Sanford Clinic Holiday Classic, held at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls.
After two more victories, I’m now even more convinced that this team is as good as the No. 3 ranking would indicate.
In both games at the Classic, USD was presented with a true test and had to fend off two very talented basketball teams.
In Thursday’s 71-49 win over Northern Michigan, the Coyote men opened the game on a 9-0 run. But before you knew it, the game was tied at 21. USD was then able to tighten up defensively and push the tempo on offense, which led to a 14-point halftime lead. From there …. well, USD was in complete control.
And in Friday’s 79-66 win over the University of Mary (N.D.), the Coyotes were given a stiff challenge against a physical Marauders team. Although USD had a 32-28 narrow lead at halftime, Mary was able to cut the Coyote gap to 37-36 early in the second half. It appeared that the Marauders were more than capable of ending USD’s 12-game win streak.
Yet, once again, the Coyotes turned on the offensive switch and were able to get to the free throw line. The Marauders were never closer than seven points throughout the rest of the second half and USD edged them for the win.
While it may be tough to accurately assess the Coyotes before the start of the North Central Conference season (which starts Jan. 12), these two wins should tell you that USD has the resiliency and talent you’d expect of a national power.
Whatever you take from these two wins, just know this: USD is 13-0 and ranked third in the country. But more importantly, they’ve earned that position.
- - Jeremy Hoeck
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