I know the University of St. Thomas program fairly well.
Some background on them. They are the first team to ever jump from division III to division I in sports. With that jump they are not eligible to go to the NCAA tournament for a couple more years and they are playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder.
I watched St. Thomas play a top 20 Marquette team in Milwaukee and have it go down to the wire. I think they can play.
South Dakota State won both games this year. Winning on the road by 1 point and at home by 5 points. St Thomas led the road game by 7 at half. I think that they know they can play with South Dakota State.
Looking at a breakdown of the stats.
On offense they are very similar:
South Dakota shoots 48%, 36% from 3 and averages 22 rebounds. St Thomas is 47, 36 and 27 for those same categories.
On defense South Dakota is 42,35 and 31. While St Thomas is 44, 32 and 28.
So both teams are pretty even.
In the St. Thomas home game though South Dakota State shot lights out. 56% from 3 point and for the game and 62% from the field. While St Thomas was slightly below their averages at 44% and 33%.
In the game South Dakota State was at home they shot above average in that game too. 59% from the field and 41% from 3 point range. St Thomas was close to their averages at 49 and 38% respectively.
What I take from looking at the numbers from both games is that South Dakota State won both games but shot significantly higher than they normally do. The St Thomas coach is more of a defensive coach. I look for this to change tonight.
One last thing is that their leading scorer and rebounder Bjorklund (who is a walk on) had poor games in both outings. Just 6 points and one rebound in one game, 3-10 shooting...7 points and 3 rebounds in the other game. He will play much better tonight.
Line is short at South Dakota State minus 3. I am taking St Thomas to win outright and I think it goes under too.
As Always Good Luck
Norther Star
Some background on them. They are the first team to ever jump from division III to division I in sports. With that jump they are not eligible to go to the NCAA tournament for a couple more years and they are playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder.
I watched St. Thomas play a top 20 Marquette team in Milwaukee and have it go down to the wire. I think they can play.
South Dakota State won both games this year. Winning on the road by 1 point and at home by 5 points. St Thomas led the road game by 7 at half. I think that they know they can play with South Dakota State.
Looking at a breakdown of the stats.
On offense they are very similar:
South Dakota shoots 48%, 36% from 3 and averages 22 rebounds. St Thomas is 47, 36 and 27 for those same categories.
On defense South Dakota is 42,35 and 31. While St Thomas is 44, 32 and 28.
So both teams are pretty even.
In the St. Thomas home game though South Dakota State shot lights out. 56% from 3 point and for the game and 62% from the field. While St Thomas was slightly below their averages at 44% and 33%.
In the game South Dakota State was at home they shot above average in that game too. 59% from the field and 41% from 3 point range. St Thomas was close to their averages at 49 and 38% respectively.
What I take from looking at the numbers from both games is that South Dakota State won both games but shot significantly higher than they normally do. The St Thomas coach is more of a defensive coach. I look for this to change tonight.
One last thing is that their leading scorer and rebounder Bjorklund (who is a walk on) had poor games in both outings. Just 6 points and one rebound in one game, 3-10 shooting...7 points and 3 rebounds in the other game. He will play much better tonight.
Line is short at South Dakota State minus 3. I am taking St Thomas to win outright and I think it goes under too.
As Always Good Luck
Norther Star
