South Dakota (stud) vs Oral Roberts (stud) on 30 January
On January 30th, the NCAA basketball tournament will showcase a thrilling clash between South Dakota and Oral Roberts. Both teams are eager to prove their mettle in what promises to be an intense, high-energy contest with significant stakes. The game will be held at the arena of Oral Roberts, with both teams fighting for positioning in the tournament and hoping to build momentum as they eye the tournament’s later stages. South Dakota comes in as the underdog, but don't count them out—this could be the upset of the tournament. Oral Roberts, however, will look to rely on their high-powered offense and disciplined defense to stay on track.
South Dakota: Tactical Approach and Current Form
South Dakota has been quietly impressive this season, with a mixed but largely positive record in recent games. Their last five outings have seen a blend of gritty defense and opportunistic offense, averaging 71.2 points per game while allowing 68.1. Their biggest strength lies in their half-court offense, which revolves around precise ball movement and a solid inside-out game. The Coyotes have a strong presence in the paint, with their forwards contributing significantly to both scoring and rebounding. They rank in the top 50 nationally in offensive rebounds, which will be crucial against a team like Oral Roberts that relies heavily on scoring efficiently in transition.
Statistically, South Dakota’s field goal percentage is solid at 46.2%, but their three-point shooting leaves much to be desired at just 33.1%. However, they excel at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, where they convert 75.5% of their attempts. The key to their offense is in transition—getting quick points and taking advantage of Oral Roberts’ tendency to commit turnovers. South Dakota will likely employ a zone defense to disrupt the rhythm of Oral Roberts’ three-point shooting and force them into difficult mid-range shots.
Key players for South Dakota include senior guard Xavier Fuller, who leads the team in points (17.5 PPG) and assists (4.3 APG). Fuller has been in excellent form, particularly with his court vision, and will need to orchestrate the offense and control the tempo of the game. Forward A.J. Plitzuweit provides a solid presence in the post, contributing 8.4 rebounds per game. However, South Dakota will need to stay healthy, as forward Mason Archambault is dealing with a slight ankle injury and may not be at full capacity for this one.
Oral Roberts: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Oral Roberts enters this game with a high-octane offense and a defensive system that is tough to crack. Over their last five games, they've averaged 83.6 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 49.1%—one of the best in the NCAA. Their style of play is fast and dynamic, marked by a relentless pace in transition and a deadly three-point attack. Oral Roberts is one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams in the country, knocking down 39.4% of their attempts from deep, which often opens up lanes for their interior players to get easy baskets.
Defensively, they are less aggressive but have a disciplined structure that emphasizes preventing easy baskets and contesting shots. They allow an average of 69.3 points per game, but their ability to force turnovers is their key defensive weapon, ranking in the top 25 nationally for steals per game. With their ability to score in bunches and force opposing offenses into mistakes, Oral Roberts has become a tough team to face in any scenario.
Key players for Oral Roberts include guard Max Abmas, who has been nothing short of sensational this season, averaging 21.4 points and 5.2 assists per game. Abmas is the engine of the offense, capable of creating his own shot from anywhere on the court and being the focal point of their attack. Another crucial player is forward Connor Vanover, who stands at 7’5” and provides a massive presence in the paint. Vanover is a strong rebounder (8.2 RPG) and shot-blocker (3.1 BPG), which allows Oral Roberts to dominate the glass and protect the rim. His ability to alter shots will be key in stifling South Dakota's post presence.
Oral Roberts is at full strength, with no notable injuries affecting their key players. Their only concern heading into this match is whether they can maintain the defensive intensity against a team like South Dakota, which has been known to thrive in close-quarter, physical matchups.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
In their recent encounters, Oral Roberts has had the upper hand against South Dakota, winning 3 out of the last 5 matchups. However, these games have often been closer than the scorelines suggest, with South Dakota showing resilience against Oral Roberts' fast-paced offense. Last season, Oral Roberts won both encounters, but in both games, South Dakota managed to limit their scoring output and make things uncomfortable for them defensively. The Coyotes will need to replicate that defensive form, especially in limiting Abmas' impact and ensuring they control the tempo of the game.
From a psychological perspective, Oral Roberts is the favorite, and they will be expected to dominate, but South Dakota thrives on being underestimated. The Coyotes will enter this game with a chip on their shoulder, playing with the mindset that they have nothing to lose. This dynamic will surely lead to a clash of contrasting styles and approaches, making for a highly unpredictable and exciting matchup.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The most crucial individual battle will be between Max Abmas and South Dakota’s Xavier Fuller. Abmas is a dynamic scorer capable of breaking down defenses with his speed and shooting range, while Fuller’s ability to control the ball and distribute will be key for South Dakota. If Fuller can limit Abmas’ impact and keep him from heating up, it will go a long way in giving South Dakota a fighting chance.
Another critical zone will be the paint. Connor Vanover’s height and shot-blocking ability are unmatched in this matchup, and South Dakota will have to find ways to score inside despite his presence. Plitzuweit and Archambault will need to be aggressive on the boards and use their size to finish around Vanover without getting their shots swatted away.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The most likely scenario is that Oral Roberts will come out hot, using their fast pace and sharp three-point shooting to establish a lead early. South Dakota will likely respond with their disciplined defense, trying to slow the game down and control the tempo. If South Dakota can manage to force Oral Roberts into mistakes and make the game a battle of half-court possessions, they’ll have a chance to stay competitive. However, the speed and offensive firepower of Oral Roberts are difficult to contain over 40 minutes.
Given the form of both teams, Oral Roberts is favored to win this one, but expect a close contest with a final score around 84-77 in their favor. South Dakota's ability to make the game physical and grind down Oral Roberts' offense will be their best shot, but Oral Roberts’ scoring depth and transition game should prove too much to overcome in the end.
Final Thoughts
This game will come down to whether South Dakota can impose their defensive structure and slow down Oral Roberts' high-powered offense. The Coyotes will need to keep things tight and control the pace if they hope to pull off an upset. Will the relentless pace and three-point shooting of Oral Roberts be too much, or will South Dakota’s disciplined defense and gritty play be enough to spoil their plans? This match will answer whether South Dakota has the ability to disrupt one of the tournament's most potent offensive machines.
