UMKC vs South Dakota State 2/26/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits will travel to the Swinney Recreation Center to take on the Kansas City Roos this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits won their 17^th straight game and improved to 26-4 on the season after defeating the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, 106-102 (OT), this past Thursday. South Dakota State was able to force OT after Luke Appel hit a pair of game-winning FT’s with :01 second left in regulation and pulled away in OT after a Mat Mims FT gave the Jackrabbits a 103-99 lead with just :06 seconds left in OT. South Dakota State shot 52.6% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Oral Roberts to shoot 49.4% from the field & 43.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Jackrabbits was Luke Appel who had a double-double with 41 points, 10 rebounds, & 1 block.

On the season, South Dakota State is averaging 87.2 ppg on 52.7% shooting from the field. The Jackrabbits are averaging 9.6 three-pointers per game on 45.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, South Dakota State has been led by Douglas Wilson (16.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.5 apg), Baylor Scheierman (15.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.4 spg), Luke Appel (9.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg), Zeke Mayo (9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg), & Alex Arians (8.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg).

Defensively, South Dakota State is allowing their opponents to average 73.7 ppg on 43.2% shooting from the field. The Jackrabbits have a rebound margin of 3.8 and a turnover margin of 3.8.

The Kansas City Roos won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 19-10 on the season after defeating the South Dakota Coyotes, 72-63, this past Thursday. Kansas City was outstanding on both ends of the court in the 1^st half against South Dakota and held off the Coyotes for the victory after taking a 39-22 lead into halftime. Kansas City shot 49.0% from the field & 35.3% from beyond the arc while allowing South Dakota to shoot 40.7% from the field & 36.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Roos was Josiah Allick who had a double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, & 1 block.

On the season, Kansas City is averaging 75.0 ppg on 48.1% shooting from the field. The Roos are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 37.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kansas City has been led by Evan Gilyard II (16.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.1 spg), Arkel Lamar (13.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg,1.6 apg, 1.3 spg), Josiah Allick (12.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Marvin Nesbitt Jr. (12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg).

Defensively, Kansas City is holding their opponents to an average of 66.4 ppg no 43.6% shooting from the field. The Roos have a rebound margin of -1.3 and a turnover margin of 5.2.

The Jackrabbits are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games & 15-13 ATS overall on the season. The Roos are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall & 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

South Dakota State has been led by an incredible offense that currently ranks 2^nd in scoring offense, 2^nd in FG%, & 1^st in 3P FG%, however, the Jackrabbits have struggled defensively and currently rank just 267^th in scoring defense & 179^th in defensive FG%. Kansas City has been solid on both ends of the court as the Roos rank 78^th in scoring offense, 21^st in FG%, & 99^th in scoring defense.

South Dakota State is the team to beat in the Summit League this season, however, Kansas City has been playing their best basketball of the season as of late, winning 7 of their last 8 games. South Dakota State had no trouble picking up an 89-57 victory at home earlier this season, however, the Roos are a different team with Josiah Allick back in the lineup and as I think Kansas City gives South Dakota State all they can handle, I think the play here is to take the Roos and the points. Good Luck!