BROOKINGS – The South Dakota State men’s basketball team announced Thursday it will play eight nonconference games away from Frost Arena, including four neutral site matchups, in 2018-19.
SDSU’s road docket features four teams that have made at least one NCAA Tournament in the previous four seasons.
The Jackrabbits begin the road portion of the upcoming campaign Nov. 16 at Florida Gulf Coast as part of a week-long trip to the Sunshine State. SDSU closes the week with a three-day stay at the Gulf Coast Showcase on Nov. 19-21. SDSU will play three games in Estero, Fla. as part of the holiday event, with the field revealed at a later date.
The previously announced U.S. Bank Stadium Basketball Classic is the final neutral site contest for the Jackrabbits, featuring SDSU and the Northern Iowa Panthers on Dec. 1 in Minneapolis.
From there, South Dakota State closes its road nonleague slate with three true road games, traveling to Memphis on Dec. 4, Nevada on Dec. 15 and Eastern Washington on Dec. 18.
“As we continue to elevate our program, it’s our intention to seek high-caliber opponents on the road as well as at neutral sites,” SDSU coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Nevada, coming off a Sweet 16 finish, Memphis, UNI, FGCU and EWU are all programs that make regular NCAA Tournament appearances.
“The game against UNI is especially unique, because it will be part of the first-ever basketball event at U.S. Bank Stadium, and we’re hopeful that many Jackrabbit fans will be able to support us there. Lastly, the Gulf Coast Showcase will provide us with three games against quality opponents in a three-day span, which mirrors the format of the Summit League Tournament.”
The Jackrabbits’ 2018 home nonconference slate will be released Monday.
SDSU opens Summit League play Dec. 28 at Western Illinois, with eight home games and eight road contests filling out the league schedule.
The 2019 Summit League Men’s Basketball Championship is March 9-12 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls.
Season tickets for SDSU’s 2018-19 campaign are on sale at the Jackrabbit Ticket Office. Season tickets at multiple pricing levels cover all home games on the men’s and women’s regular-season schedules. Tickets are available online at JackrabbitTickets.com, over the phone by calling (605) 688-5422 or in person at the Jackrabbit Ticket Office weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Photo from www.gojacks.com.
