The South Dakota Coyotes are set to face the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, Nebraska, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, streaming on Peacock. Creighton is heavily favored, with a spread of -27.5 points and a total set at 166.5 points.
As the season begins, the Coyotes enter this matchup following a narrow overtime loss to Utah Tech, where they fell 81-79, bringing their record to 0-1. The Coyotes, known for their fast-paced play, finished last season as one of the quickest teams in college basketball. This pace could lead to increased scoring opportunities against a Creighton team that has traditionally had a strong offense.
Despite their loss to Utah Tech, the Coyotes managed to score 79 points, which indicates their potential to put up numbers, even with a less-than-stellar shooting performance that saw them converting only 2-of-17 from three-point range. With their shooting likely to improve, South Dakota will rely on standout guards like Isaac Bruns, who scored 23 points in the opener, and Jordan Crawford, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky.
Defensively, the Coyotes struggled last season, finishing 332nd in defensive efficiency, and their challenge will be significantly heightened facing a high-major opponent like Creighton. While they showed some defensive promise by limiting Utah Tech to 0.99 points per possession (PPP), the gap in talent is likely to expose their vulnerabilities against stronger offenses.
On the other hand, the Creighton Bluejays are starting their season without Ryan Kalkbrenner, who has moved on to the NBA, evaluating how they adapt in his absence. Despite a relatively “down” year last season, finishing 33rd in offensive efficiency, Creighton is expected to rebound, bolstered by strategic off-season transfers and a roster rich in potential. Players like Josh Dix and Nik Graves, along with Howard transfer Blake Harper and Miami transfer Austin Swartz, will be pivotal to the offensive output this year.
However, there are concerns about a potential decline in defensive strength after losing key figures, including Kalkbrenner. The Bluejays ranked 44th in defensive efficiency last season, but their performance could slip this year.
For this matchup, the prediction leans towards the over at 166.5 points, as South Dakota’s up-tempo playstyle promises a high-scoring contest, while Creighton’s offensive capabilities could lead them to score heavily, potentially exceeding the century mark. While the Coyotes’ chances of an upset seem slim, this season opener offers an exciting opportunity for both teams to showcase their strengths.